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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced a ₦250,000 administrative fee for companies seeking an Interim Service Authorisation (ISA) to test new telecom services before full commercial rollout.
This move is part of the Commission’s General Authorisation Framework, aimed at promoting innovation while protecting consumer interests in Nigeria’s telecom sector.
Key Features of the Framework:
- Interim Service Authorisation (ISA): Allows telecom operators to test new services in a live market environment without a full licence.
- Administrative Fee: ₦250,000 payable at the point of application.
- Additional Costs*: Successful applicants may incur additional costs for spectrum allocation and numbering resources.
- Testing Conditions: Limited to 10,000 customers, operations restricted to approved locations, and continuous NCC monitoring.
- Authorisation Validity: Initially valid for three months, renewable once for a maximum of six months.
Eligibility and Requirements:
- New or Significantly Different Services: Applicants must demonstrate that their proposed service is genuinely new or significantly different from existing offerings.
- Regulatory Limitations: Explain how current regulations limit the service and outline consumer protection measures.
- Monthly Progress Reports: Submit reports throughout the testing period.
Implications for the Telecom Sector:
- Innovation and Risk Reduction: The framework is expected to stimulate innovation and reduce risks associated with failed service launches.
- Regulatory Flexibility: NCC aims to encourage experimentation in areas like spectrum sharing and Open RAN technologies without compromising service quality.
