Key Telecommunications Challenges Demanding Federal Government Resolution In 2024

Key Telecommunications Challenges Demanding Federal Government Resolution In 2024....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Amidst the global economic challenges triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic since 2019, the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector has emerged as a resilient force, sustaining value delivery and providing support to other struggling industries….CONTINUE READING

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In Nigeria, the ICT sector has notably overshadowed the traditional economic stronghold of the oil sector, making significant contributions to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The telecommunications and information services subsector, in particular, has played a pivotal role in this success, leading substantial contributions to the overall ICT sector, alongside Publishing, Motion Picture/Sound Recording/Music Production, and Broadcasting.

Despite the sector’s pivotal role, it faces challenges that hinder its full potential. While some issues may be minor, two critical concerns demand urgent attention from relevant authorities: the tower lease dispute between MTN and IHS Towers and the Unstructured Supplementary Services Data (USSD) debt debacle between banks and telecom operators.

The recent controversy unfolded as MTN Nigeria, the country’s largest telecommunications operator, transferred 2500 telecom towers to American Towers Corporation (ATC) for management, sparking a dispute with its former partner, IHS Towers. The situation escalated when a Nigerian civil society group, HEDA, sought a court injunction, expressing health and environmental concerns related to the installation of new base stations.

In a surprising turn of events, a Federal High Court judge in Lagos granted the injunction, preventing ATC and MTN from constructing new base stations in close proximity to existing ones. This legal development could potentially halt MTN’s tower relocation project until the matter is heard in February 2024.

Meanwhile, the ongoing USSD debt saga between telcos and banks poses another threat. Despite previous interventions by regulatory bodies, the debt has reportedly exceeded N200 billion, and unless resolution discussions yield positive results, telcos may consider withdrawing USSD services from banks in the coming year.

Industry stakeholders emphasize the need for swift intervention by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in the MTN-IHS dispute to prevent adverse effects on the sector’s fortunes. As the new NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida, pledges to address industry disputes, these pressing issues demand prompt attention to ensure the stability and growth of Nigeria’s ICT sector in 2024.

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