The Nigerian Communications Commission has disclosed that
its latest guidelines on co-location and infrastructure sharing will result in
reduced tariffs for the telecommunication consumers, reports ITREALMS.
As said in the guidelines available to ITREALMS would ensure
that unnecessary duplication of infrastructure is drastically reduced if not
completely avoidable with added effect on reduction in the tariffs chargeable
to consumers eventually.
NCC in latest guidelines on co-location and infrastructure
sharing, available to ITREALMS revealed that the status which is subjected to
Telecommunication Act revolved around networks interconnection regulations, competition
practices regulations, Quality of Service (QoS) regulations, other laws, rules
and subsidiary legislations that may be developed by the Commission from time
to time and relevant Licence conditions.
The primary objective of these latest guidelines, ITREALMS gathered, is to establish a framework within which Access Providers and Access
Seekers to enable them negotiate C/IS arrangements, and for that purpose.
The NCC guideline, ITREALMS gathered would ensure that the
incidence of unnecessary duplication of infrastructure is minimised or
completely avoided; Protect the environment by reducing the proliferation of
infrastructure and facilities installations; Promote fair competition through
equal access being granted to the installations and facilities of operators on
mutually agreed terms; Ensure that the
economic advantages derivable from the sharing of facilities are harnessed for
the overall benefit of all telecommunications stakeholders; Minimise capital
expenditure on supporting infrastructures and to free more funds for investment
in core network equipment.
In addition, the guidelines would encourage Access Providers
and Access Seekers to pursue a cost-oriented policy with the added effect of a
reduction in the tariffs chargeable to consumers.
NCC also said that Infrastructure Amenable to Sharing include
those that could be shared without an attendant risk of lessening of
competition. Stressing that it shall encourage and promote the sharing of passive
infrastructure.
These, NCC listed to include “Rights of Way, Masts, Poles,
Antenna mast and tower structures, ducts, trenches, space in buildings, electric
power (public or private source), and
Also outlined in this regards are some active
infrastructure, namely complete network structures, switching centers, frequencies,
radio network controllers, and base stations.
ITREALMS recalls that NCC has responsibility under the Act
to promote fair competition in the communications industry, encourage and
support infrastructure sharing among its licensees. In addition to development
of guidelines for Co-location and Infrastructure Sharing (C/IS).
These guidelines, ITREALMS gathered proceed from a premise
that all “Access Providers and Access Seekers” have the liberty to negotiate Co-location
and infrastructure sharing arrangements in accordance with mutually agreed terms.
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