12 June 2023
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has started licensing mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), according to Mohammed Babajika, director of the licensing and authorization department.
In March 2022 the NCC released its ‘Licensing Framework for the Establishment of Mobile Virtual Network Operators in Nigeria.’ The document sets the terms and fees for acquiring MVNO licenses. Companies wishing to provide telecom services using the infrastructure of a mobile network operator (MNO) will have to pay between 30 and 250 million naira depending on the level of the license that varies between one and five. This resource is valid for ten years and is renewable.
Babajika believes that granting licenses to MVNOs should improve the coverage and availability of the national mobile network, as well as the performance of telecommunications. The regulator wants to boost broadband penetration to 90% by 2025, and well beyond 50% by the end of 2023, in line with Nigeria's National Broadband Plan (NNBP 2020-2025).
“While the commission is fully committed to fulfilling its mission, it can only achieve this with the cooperation and support of licensees. The commission therefore recognizes the importance of the various service providers and seeks to constantly engage with them in order to protect the health and growth of the telecommunications industry,” said Babajika.
