The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has begun revising the operational guidelines for Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs). This effort aims to strengthen industry competition and increase national access to telecommunications.
During a stakeholder forum in Abuja, NCC Executive Vice-Chairman Dr. Aminu Maida, represented by Licensing and Authorisation Director Usman Mamman, explained that the initiative seeks to improve regulatory standards and drive innovation. The updated rules clarify licensing duties and the partnerships between MVNOs and host networks, with a focus on market integrity and consumer protection. The commission also reiterated its intent to enforce strict compliance with these guidelines.
The current framework allows operators to provide mobile services by leveraging existing infrastructure from Mobile Network Operators, removing the requirement to own radio spectrum. To date, the NCC has issued 46 licenses across five specific tiers to support diverse business models. Chizua Whyte, head of Legal and Regulatory Services, noted that the revisions are designed to foster service variety and provide consumers with more options. The forum served as a platform to collect industry feedback before the final adoption of these rules. Meanwhile, Ken Nwabueze, leader of the Association of Mobile Virtual Network Operators of Nigeria, urged the regulator to prioritize concerns regarding revenue distribution and policy enforcement.
