To ensure seamless and effective communication in the true sense of the catchphrase ‘ everywhere you go” (apologies to MTN), Nigeria’s communication sector regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), recently made public its comprehensive guidelines targeted at enabling and regulating roaming services by network service providers in the country. It made the release relying on powers derived from section 70 the Communication Act 2003 and other allied extant laws.
If you have ever travelled within this vast country of ours, Nigeria, and found yourself cut off from the world, communication-wise, due to unavailability of services by your network provider in that location then this sector regulator’s effort aimed at addressing this avoidable social dislocation should score high with you.
The primary idea of this set of guidelines is to prevent, and as much as possible put a permanent end to the embarrassing and disconcerting situation where you are suddenly jilted by your darling network provider and that without any recourse. This move no doubt is a major boost to the consumer centric credentials of the Commission as it continues to walk the talk in its avowed devotion to the consumer.
Beyond the foregoing however, this development also supports the industry players as they no longer have to be under pressure to maintain a presence in every location especially where the cost-benefit analysis does not support such investment. As long as there is a player in such a location, there is no cause for alarm as the gap is seamlessly and effectively filled. The regulator therefore deftly discourages unhealthy competition while promoting partnership as a way of bridging the gap in infrastructure roll-out or coverage in the sector. This way, the inadequacy of individual network provider in terms of national coverage will be less pronounced and less negatively impactful on the consumer.
A look at the guidelines will easily confirm that the regulator has an in-depth knowledge of the sector; its short comings, its needs and possible remedies. Of course, the seamless service transfer from one provider to the other can only be made possible within a robust framework that manages the relationships among players, rewards ethical conduct and punishes errant behavior.
On the procedures for engaging each other, the guideline provides as follows:
“Duly authorised Service Providers shall request and negotiate National Roaming Agreements with each other on bi-lateral and non-discriminatory terms.
“A Roaming Seeker requesting for National Roaming services shall forward a duly completed Roaming Request Form A contained under Schedule 1 of these Guidelines to the Roaming Provider.”
“A Roaming Provider shall notify the Roaming Seeker of its approval or rejection of the Roaming Request in line with the procedure stated under Sub-paragraph (5) and (6) below.
“Where the Roaming Seeker receives no response from the Roaming Provider within 15 days of its request, the Roaming Seeker shall immediately notify the Commission in writing, and the Commission shall take necessary steps to ensure the Roaming Provider responds to the Roaming Request.
It goes on to say that where the request of the roaming seeker is accepted by the roaming provider this must be communicated to the former within 15 days of receiving the request after which the parties will enter into a non-disclosure agreement and set out the terms of the agreement.
In the case of rejection of the request however, the refusal must be communicated within 10 days of receiving the request to both the seeker and the commission stating the grounds for its refusal. According to the guidelines the grounds for refusal are: insufficient capacity and unsettled debt being owed by the seeker for other services such as interconnection. Where the claims of the provider are found to be false or unjustifiable, the Commission will compel the Provider to make an offer of acceptance to the seeker.
One point that can be easily gleaned from the above is the Commission’s insistence on prompt response as well as openness.
On the scope of the rules, it says it is applicable only within the geographical territory of Nigeria and to holders of valid licences which have been prequalified by a clause in ther licence that makes them eligible to participate in the National roaming service agreement.
It contains other sections which cover the gamut of the issues that could arise from the new development.
On the whole it must be said that this is a worthwhile and commendable effort which will make the communication experience much more enjoyable.