By Eyo Nsima

Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, has tasked the Committee to review of the existing licensing structure to deliver on seven points.

In a statement obtained by The Daily, www.thedaily-ng.com, Danbatta listed the deliverables to include a comprehensive review/report on existing licenses; a report and recommendations on consultative fora; a report on recommended new license undertakings, a report on recommended amendment to license fees, and durations; a report on benchmarking of license with similar jurisdictions, a report on the impact of certain licenses on other license holders.

It is also expected to recommend solutions as well as develop an updated regulatory framework for new and amended licenses as the case may be; and a final report on the project with all recommendations.

Inaugurating the Committee, Danbatta said the need for the review of the existing license structure was informed by the wide range of technological advances, the convergence of technologies and services which have characterized the global telecoms space over the years, and which impact is increasingly being experienced in Nigeria.

He said, the current license structure is almost 20 years old, hence the need for an urgent review of the existing license pattern to reflect new licensing trends in line with international standards while providing opportunities for improved revenue for the government.

He also said: “Therefore, it is evidently clear that this Standing Committee, drawn up from competent hands in various departments of the Commission, is perfectly suited and capable of addressing the enormous task of reviewing the existing license structure of telecom licensees in Nigeria.”

Similarly, the Director, Licensing and Authorisation, NCC, and Chairman of the Committee, Mohammad Babajika, assured the Commission’s Management of the Committee’s resolve to deliver on the terms of their assignment.