It is our expectation at the Commission that, the totality of outcomes from diligent implementation of all the five items above, as contained in the new Strategic Vision Plan, will enhance consumer experience and satisfaction
The Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta Stated this in his remarks during The “NCC Special Day” at the ongoing 2021 Lagos International Trade Fair saying The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) is delighted to be part of this year’s edition of the Lagos International Trade Fair an annually event organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) at the Tafawa Balewa Square here in Lagos.
For us at NCC, Danbatta disclosed that we consider a strategic event of this magnitude happening in Lagos, which is the commercial nerve-centres of Lagos, very important. First if all, a larger number of our licensees and subscribers are based in Lagos, he added.
The EVC was ably represented at the event by Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, the Director Public Affairs of the NCC said the Commission has been partnering with LCCI by participating at this event annually through our special “NCC Day” event in order to create an interactive forum with its various stakeholders, especially the consumers.
He said the Board and Management of the Commission commended the Board and Management of LCCI for their regular invitation to NCC to participate in this annual trade fair.
EVC noted that the theme of this Trade Fair: “Connecting Businesses, Creating Value” resonates with the critical role which the NCC plays in creating a more enabling environment for businesses to thrive in a more efficient and effective manner, thereby ensuring sustainability of the nation’s economic growth.
“Telecommunications is no longer limited to phone and fax services. Today, According to him, this industry encompasses high-speed internet, messaging, video streaming, mobile payments and more. Emerging technologies, such as 5G and cloud-hosted VoIP, are fuelling its growth. From traveling and watching TV to doing business, telecom services are at the centre of everyday life, he stressed.
Danbatta said according to a World Economic Forum report, modern telecom technology is the driving force behind digital transformation. He said thanks to it, people all over the world have access to the latest information, products and marketplaces.
EVC therefore pointed that these services facilitate remote work, virtual meetings, and real-time collaboration between teams, regardless of distance adding that the importance of telecommunication cannot be overstated in critical situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
“More than 2.5 billion consumers under the age of 25 are “always on,” reports McKinsey. Each day, these users spend over 300 minutes on YouTube, Snapchat and other online platforms. The same source notes that approximately 45 per cent of young adults running a business use social media for customer service. Millions of other consumers are now shopping online, surfing the web for information, and connecting with brands on social media.
He noted that the Artificial Intelligence (AI), big data, Augmented Reality, machine learning and cloud computing and 5G technology – which the Commission is upbeat to deploy – among others, are shaping the telecommunications industry. These technologies streamline collaboration and remote work while improving efficiency and productivity and ultimately creating value for businesses in the area of
In today’s digital era, he said telecom services are critical for business success and continuity adding that they not only enable more effective communication but also increase flexibility in the workplace and allow companies to expand their reach.
“Digitisation and telecommunications are strongly connected and have the power to disrupt traditional business models. The growing demand for connectivity is pressuring companies to upgrade their telecommunications infrastructure. Network transformation is imperative for innovative businesses, allowing them to address changing customer expectations.
“Suffice it to say that telecom services also have direct and indirect benefits for your business such as improve cross-team collaboration, increase employee productivity and satisfaction as well as provide leverage to reach more customers and business partners for greater value creation. With high-speed internet, mobile apps, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and other means of communication, staff of a company can exchange information in real time and reach out to prospective clients. These technologies support branding efforts and customer service strategy. They may also reduce operational costs, save office space, and increase productivity across all departments.
Danbatta said the NCC is the agency driving the digital transformation we are seeing in our economy today, one area that the Commission pays greater priority to is how our consumers – Yes, you as telecoms consumers- are treated by the service providers. This is why at NCC, we continue to treat consumers as Kings and Queens, he stressed. Of course, that who they are because without the consumer both regulator and the operators have no business, EVC added.
He reiterated that the Commission is committed to protecting and empowering consumers – whether individuals and corporate consumers – from unfair practices. This is based on our regulatory mandate of ensuring that consumers of telecommunications services deserve to get value for their money, and to be treated as a very important stakeholder in the scheme of things, he added.
Consequently, EVC noted that in line with our consumer-centric initiatives, the NCC recently unveiled a new Strategic Vision Plan (SVP), which articulates the Commission’s policies and regulatory implementation roadmaps for the next five years, covering 2020-2025. The new roadmap, a 5-Point Agenda, has the overarching objective of increasing connectivity and service experience for the consumers, just as the first Strategic Vision Plan for 2015-2020, paid special attention to the issue of empowerment and protection of the consumer.
“The five consumer-centric items of the new SVP 2021-2025 are:
- Organisational Renewal for Operational Efficiency and Regulatory Excellence;
- Facilitating the Provision of Infrastructure for a Digital Economy which fosters National Development;
- Promoting Fair Competition, Inclusive Growth, Increased investment and Innovative Services;
- Improve Quality of Service (QoS) for Enhanced Consumer Quality of Experience (QoE); and
- Facilitating Strategic Collaboration and Partnership.
“The SVP will generally focus on excellence and efficiency of our regulatory activities and ensure increased connectivity to telecoms consumer through deployment of robust infrastructure and newest technology such as 5G network, recently approved for rollout by the Federal Government. In this regard, the Commission is set for implementation aimed at ensuing robust, available, accessible and affordable broadband/telecom service delivery to consumers.
“It will also provide a level-playing ground for operators to thrive, promote investment and delivery of innovative services to consumers, and ensure enhanced consumer quality of experience.
“We also have the strategic collaboration and partnering, which also occupies a very strategic pillar of the NCC’s Strategic Management Plan (SMP) 2021-2024.
“It is our expectation at the Commission that, the totality of outcomes from diligent implementation of all the five items above, as contained in the new Strategic Vision Plan, will enhance consumer experience and satisfaction.
