The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has issued new regulatory guidelines aimed at encouraging national roaming.
NCC said that national roaming services would not exceed three years from the date of execution of the National Roaming Agreement (NRA).
The guidelines are under powers conferred upon the NCC by Section 70 of the Nigerian Communications Act of 2003.
According to the Commission, the guidelines shall apply only to holders of valid licences issued by it, containing a condition that makes the holder eligible to enter into a national roaming service agreement.
NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Professor Umar Danbatta explained that these Guidelines shall apply only to holders of licences validly issued by the Commission, containing a condition that makes the holder eligible to enter into a national roaming service agreement. National Roaming services shall be provided within the geographical boundaries of Nigeria.
It says the guidelines are to be read in conjunction with the Act, the Collocation Guidelines, Interconnection Regulations, Quality of Service Regulations, Competition Practices Regulations, other subsidiary legislations that may be issued by the Commission from time to time, and relevant Licence Conditions.
On the procedure for National Roaming, the NCC disclosed among other provisions in the Guidelines that “duly authorised Service Providers shall request and negotiate National Roaming Agreements with each other on bilateral and non-discriminatory terms.
