Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has initiated a review of the Mobile Virtual Network Operators, MVNO, Business Rules to enhance competition and broaden access to telecommunications services within the nation.
Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice-Chairman, EVC, of the NCC, made this announcement during a one-day MVNO Business Rule Stakeholders Forum organized by the commission on Thursday in Abuja.
Maida indicated that the review aims to foster innovation and improve the regulatory framework governing MVNO operations, thereby ensuring a more competitive and inclusive telecommunications environment.
The EVC was represented by Mr. Usman Mamman, the Director of Licensing and Authorisation.
He noted that the establishment of the MVNO business rules demonstrates the commission’s broader commitment to its strategic objective of achieving digital inclusion.
“The MVNO business rules are intended to clarify licensing, operational responsibilities, and relationships with host network operators while protecting consumer interests and maintaining market integrity.
“Simultaneously, we anticipate full compliance, and the commission will persist in exercising its authority to ensure that all operators strictly follow the established guidelines,” he stated.
In his presentation, Mamman remarked that the introduction of MVNOs into Nigeria’s telecommunications sector was the result of years of consultations with industry stakeholders.
He stated that the framework was created to support various business models and different levels of technical and operational capabilities, thus fostering opportunities for broader participation in the sector.
He indicated that the framework enables qualified operators to deliver mobile communication services by utilizing the infrastructure of existing Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) without the necessity of owning radio spectrum or establishing nationwide radio access networks.
Mamman mentioned that the commission had granted 46 MVNO licenses across five operational tiers.
He noted that this distribution included one Tier 1 license, 11 Tier 2 licenses, 16 Tier 3 licenses, seven Tier 4 licenses, and 11 Tier 5 licenses.
Previously, the Head of Legal and Regulatory Services at the NCC, Mrs. Chizua Whyte, remarked that the commission had developed the draft business rules to establish a clear operational framework for MVNOs within Nigeria’s communications ecosystem.
She explained that the rise of MVNOs offers substantial opportunities to enhance competition, encourage innovation, promote service differentiation, and increase consumer choice.
She added that the stakeholder forum was organized to gather industry feedback that would reinforce the regulatory framework prior to its final approval.
The President of the Association of Mobile Virtual Network Operators of Nigeria, AMVON, Mr. Ken Nwabueze, called on the commission to address issues related to revenue-sharing arrangements and the enforcement of the proposed business rules.
