Interconnect exchange: NCC revokes two licenses

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has revoked the licenses of two interconnect exchange firms, namely Integrated Wireless Technologies Nigeria Limited and Telexchange Services Limited.

NCC said the revocation was in line with powers conferred on it under the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003.

The commission said it revoked the licenses after the notice given to the affected companies expired on November 20, this year.

“The notice of intention to make declaration revoking Interconnect Exchange licenses, is in furtherance of the powers conferred under the Nigerian Communications Act 2003,” hence NCC has determined that two of its interconnect exchange licensees; Messrs Integrated Wireless Technologies Nigeria Limited and Telexchange Services Limited have failed and refused to commence operations in contravention of provisions of the 2003 Acts and conditions attached to the licenses.

Also, NCC said the revocation has become imperative as required by the Act and Condition 1.3 of the licenses, after the Commission has duly issued notification of breach in June, 2009 and subsequently notices of the intention to revoke the licenses.

Affirming this, Head, Public Affairs at NCC, Mr. Reuben Muoka, noted that though the notices were dispatched to the licensees’ addresses provided to the Commission for contact purposes, the notices of intention to both licenses were returned for reasons that the addressees were not at the designated addresses.

By the notice dated November 6, 2009, issued to the two licenses; Integrated Wireless Technologies Nigeria Limited and Telexchange Services Limited, the Commission had requested, any submission by the licensees on the notices should be addressed to the Executive Vice
Chairman, NCC, with the attention of the Director, Legal Services.

This submission, NCC noted, was to reach its office within 14 days after the notice was issued, which was Friday, November 20, 2009.

But in the event of meeting up with the 14 days from the date of receipt of the notice of intention to make a written submission on the proposed declaration which submission, the Commission shall take into consideration in making its final declaration.

And as at the time of filing this story, NCC confirmed that both Integrated Wireless Technologies Nigeria Limited and Telexchange Services Limited, fell short in making any submission available to its office, thus their licenses stand revoked.

The letters addressed to both companies at their contact addresses; 31 Saka Tinubu Street and 42 Bishop Oluwole Street, both in Victoria Island, Lagos, were signed by the Deputy Director, Legal Services, Ms Josephine Amuwa, on behalf of the chief executive officer of NCC.

“Consequent upon the failure by the licensee to commence the provision of services under the interconnect exchange license issued to it, the Commission in the exercise of its powers under Section 45 of the Act thereby revokes the license,” part of the letter read.

Before now, Nigeria had seven licensees in the interconnect exchange category and with the revocation of the licensees, five now remains, namely Exchange Telecom Limited, Medallion Communications Limited, Interconnect Clearing House Limited, NiConnx Communications Limited, and Solid Interconnectivity Services Limited.

All of them formed the initial licensing in this category which took off on August 1, 2004 with expected expiration of the licenses billed for July 31, 2014, with the exception of Solid Interconnectivity Services Limited, granted license on November 1, 2006 and to expire on October 31, 2016.

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