Release 2022 telecom competition report, PMCRG tells NCC



The Pervasive and Mobile Computing Research Group at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, is mounting pressure on the Nigerian Communications Commission to publish the findings of a 2022 telecom competition study conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers.

The study focused on competition in critical areas, such as collocation and infrastructure sharing within Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.

However, despite completing the study over a year ago, the NCC has not made the findings public.

The delay has prompted PMCRG to file a formal request under the Freedom of Information Act, seeking access to the report.

The research group said in a statement on Monday that the findings of the report were anticipated to provide valuable insights into Nigeria’s telecom industry, informing policy decisions to foster innovation and growth.

PMCRG operates under the Africa Centre of Excellence ICT-driven knowledge park at OAU and aims to drive innovation and policy improvements through research.

The group believed that access to the PwC report would help inform regulatory frameworks and accelerate technological advancements in Nigeria’s ICT sector.

The Coordinator of PMCRG, Professor Adeniran Oluwaranti, said, “The findings of this report are crucial for understanding the current competitive landscape and identifying opportunities for growth in areas such as 5G, cybersecurity, and rural connectivity.”

The Director of Publicity at the NCC, Reuben Mouka, did not respond to calls for comment on the matter.

According to the group, the FOI request, which aligns with both the Freedom of Information Act and Section 70 of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, aims to enhance the understanding of market dynamics in Nigeria’s telecom sector.

Oluwaranti remained optimistic that the NCC would comply with the request.

“Transparency is key to fostering an innovative and competitive telecommunications sector. Access to this data will benefit not only the academic community but also the entire country by promoting evidence-based policymaking.

“We believe that having access to this data will benefit not only the academic community but also the entire country by promoting evidence-based policymaking,” he asserted.

In May 2022, the NCC’s Director of Policy, Competition, and Economy Analysis, Yetunde Akinloye, announced the engagement of PwC for the study, noting that the commission periodically conducts competition assessments.

Previous studies, completed in 2005, 2010, and 2013, have revealed regulatory interventions aimed at maintaining a level playing field in the telecom industry.



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