The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in a warning notice, informed the Internet service providers (ISPs) operating in the country without a valid license to abstain from such act or face clamp down on delinquent internet service providers in the country.
The information is in accordance with Section 31 of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, it hereby issues a warning that it is an offence to provide telecommunications services in Nigeria without the prior approval of the NCC, which will attract some penalties to defaulters.
According to the notice,“To All Licenced ISP and Intending ISP Licenses,” informed the public particularly private/public companies engaged in business as ISPs that operating without license and failure to regularise their operations with the commission is an offence.
Mostly this will affect those defaulting in regularising their operational licenses and also those who failed to remit one percent of their annual turnover to the commission.
NCC will be left with no other option than to seal up the company if fail to regularise its operations in line with the laid down rules, procedures and laws governing such.
The Director of Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC),Mr Reuben Muoka,in a notice signed, said the telecoms regulator operating without a valid license may risk sanctions and/or prosecution of culpable parties involved, as well as boycotting and sealing of the business premises of the offending companies.
Furthermore, NCC noted that the companies hoping to acquiring or regularising their license status may obtain relevant information by clicking the following themes on the commission’s website: Fees &Licensing, License application forms, License FAQs.
NCC on its part said it will continue to deepen its collaboration efforts with telecoms services providers and ISPs to facilitate the provision of ubiquitous telecoms infrastructure necessary to guarantee good quality of service across the nation.
As a result of this, NCC therefore gives a 14-day pre-enforcement notice to all companies/persons to desist from the provision of Internet services without necessary authorisations from the commission.
“The commission shall without further recourse and upon expiration of the deadline stipulated commence appropriate enforcement action,” NCC stated.
it was discovered on the NCC site that there are 103 ISPs with 415,099 connected users, of which 204,810 are active subscribers and 2,146 Point of Presence (PoPs).
Of this 103 ISPs, the top five service providers are Spectranet with 287,075 connected users, of which 115,103 are active and boast of 648 PoPs across the country. Tizeti is next with 39,410 connected users and 18,243 active members and 131 PoPs.
Others are ipNX, which 13, 104 active users from 19,068 connected lines and 53 PoPs; Astramix Ltd is next with 15, 040 connected users, which have been active as well with five PoPs. VDT is next with 12, 767 connected users, 7,294 active customers and 59 PoPs spread across the country.
