Indigenous content inevitable for enhanced quality of service and quality of experience in telecommunications services – Danbatta
By Emma Ogbuehi
In order to sustain and further improve Quality of Service and Quality of Experience in telecommunications services in Nigeria, the country must embrace indigenous content and value creation within the telecoms value chain. Not doing so would result to increase in telecoms tariff. These were declarations of the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, at the second edition of the Nigerian Telecommunications Indigenous Content EXPO (NTICE 2023), on Wednesday.
NTICE, according to Danbatta, is the only telecom event in Nigeria that is solely focused on Indigenous Content promotion, development and adaptation. The forum, he added, is not only an exhibition but also a gathering of industry players that embodies the spirit of innovation, resilience, collaboration, and progress. “It presents a remarkable opportunity to celebrate and showcase Nigeria’s achievements in the world of telecommunications, technology, as well as indigenous content creation and adoption”, the NCC EVC stressed.
NTICE had this year’s event themed “Harnessing Indigenous Content for Economic Growth; Networking to boost Investment”. The event, Danbatta observed, was aimed at recognizing the transformative power of domestic innovation and the pivotal role it plays in shaping digital future of nations, their economies and their futures.
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The NCC EVC stated that the Nigerian Telecoms Sector is amongst the biggest contributors to socio-economic growth of the country, as evidenced by the numerous achievements of the sector. The sector’s performance, he noted, was instrumental to lifting Nigeria out of recession with 12.45% contribution to the GDP in Q4 2020. This figure increased to 14.13% as at Q1 2023.
The Sector, he added, is also home to two of the most valuable listed companies in Nigeria with a collective market capitalization in excess of N10.45 trillion.
Danbatta recalled that NCC in 2021 and 2022, generated revenue in excess of USD$820m from the auction and grant of 3.5GHz Spectrum band licences to three operators to boost the deployment of Fifth Generation (5G) services in Nigeria. The exercise, placed Nigeria on the global 5G map ahead of many countries in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
He noted that while Quality of Service and Quality of Experience in telecommunications services in Nigeria have continued to improve, tariffs have remained stable notwithstanding the increase in cost-of-service provision to the telecom operators.
“In order to sustain and further improve Quality of Service and Quality of Experience in telecommunications services in Nigeria, we must embrace indigenous content and value creation within the telecoms value chain, otherwise, increase in telecoms tariff will be inevitable”, he stated.
Danbatta restated the commitment of the NCC to the drive of the Federal Government to place the Nigerian Economy on a sustainable pedestal through all the necessary policies put in place. He recalled that when the organisation created the Nigeria Office for Development of Indigenous Telecoms Sector (NODITS) as a Special Purpose Vehicle under the Commission to drive the National Policy for Promotion of Indigenous Content in the Nigerian Telecommunications Sector in July 2021, the Office was given four areas of focus: Manufacturing, Human Capacity, Research & Development (R&D) and Software & Services development for the telecoms sector.
NTICE, he said, is one of the achievements of NCC through NODITS because it has served not only to promote Pillar number 5 (Strategic Partnering) of the Strategic Management Plan SMP 20202024 of the Commission but has also become the flagship indigenous content event for the industry.
The Commission he added, has also incentivized the manufacturing of Corrugated Optical Duct (COD) that will be used to protect our fibre infrastructure from the incessant cuts experienced by our service providers.
“The Commission is equally committed to continuously supporting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Innovators to promote our talented young persons and ventures though Angel Investments, R&D support, exposure to Investors and sponsorship to local and international tech events”, he said.
Another key achievement of NCC policies, the EVC stated, is the ban on importation of whole body SIM cards which was announced at the maiden NTICE event last year. “This ban has not only eased the burden on our demand for foreign exchange but has also created business in excess of N55bn for the local SIM card manufacturers in Nigeria which in turn has created direct and indirect jobs”, he enthused.
Earlier in his remarks, the Team Lead, NODITS, Engr. Babagana Digima stated that the forum was a testament to NCC’s commitment to fostering homegrown solutions that not only drive economic prosperity but also propel the country towards a future brimming with endless possibilities.
He stressed that in an era where connectivity is the backbone of progress, where the digital realm intertwines with every facet of our lives, Nigeria’s telecom industry stands as a beacon of advancement, adding that it is not just about communication, but about empowerment, education, healthcare, commerce, and beyond.
