• NCC, Operators Dialogue on OTT Regulation

Nigeria Communications Commission has said its decision not to outlaw Over-the-top Content (OTT) is in line with the joint decision of country members of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the commission described it as one of the recommended global best practices for telecommunication industry.

Its Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Umar Danbatta therefore, called on operators to fully adopt Over-the-top Content (OTT) to foster innovation and economic value chain and growth in the sector.

Danbatta on Thursday made the call at the 2019 Telecommunication Executive and Regulator Forum (TERF) in Lagos.

The TERF 2019 with the theme: “Formulation of Policy and Regulation for OTTs: Challenges and Prospects” was pivotal to addressing issues that are confronting the telecommunications and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector in Nigeria.

Speaking, Prof. Danbatta dissuaded fears that the full adoption of the OTT will jeopardize enterprise data offerings from network service providers and broadband internet last-mile plans by licensed operators.

Represented by Mr Sonny Aragba of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Danbatta explained that Nigeria will soon witness growth in the adoption of OTT, as internet broadband Infrastructure companies(INFRACOs) have been licensed across the six-geopolitical zones for full broadband Penetration.

“OTT was not indigenous to Nigeria or any economy but just a global player running their business. if the country must regulate, there is need to think outside the box due to losses that would be invited,” Danbatta said.

The Over-the-top is a term used to refer to content providers that distribute streaming media as a standalone product directly to viewers over the Internet, bypassing telecommunications, multichannel television, and broadcast television platforms that traditionally act as a controller or distributor of such content.

According to the Managing Director, Medallion Communications Ltd., Mr Ikechukwu Nnamani, the impact of OTT was positive to both the citizens and operators.

He explained that telecoms have generated data revenue from the use of OTT and so they need to embrace it more than fighting it.

“We need to find the best way it works for our country and focus on correcting some of the areas where people have abused it. Trying to prevent it will be going against global trend,’’ he said.

In his contribution, Mr Ibrahim Kabir, Chief Operating Officer, HD Technologies Ltd., said that OTT was a point innovation, calling for its adoption.

He said that there was need to create a regulation that would unleash the potential of digital economy so that it would create tech in agro, healthcare and others.

Mr Funso Finnih of MTN said that regulation of OTT came with mixed feelings. According to him, there is need for government to support indigenous players with law and so that they can compete with global players and imported OTT solutions.

Earlier, President, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria, Olusola Teniola in his opening remark said ATCON strongly believe in knowledge sharing that will further stimulate the accelerated development of our industry.

He said the forum further aimed at creating a platform for the regulators to update the industry on the regulatory direction and plans for the industry in the coming years. This hopefully, would enable industry stakeholders to understand how best to cooperate with the regulatory agency in ensuring the effectiveness and success of policies and regulations in the industry, he said.

“We need to succeed to gain the confidence of the international community to see Nigeria as a preferred investment destination in Africa. This is why we consider it a worthwhile venture to continually engage ourselves in programmes that would enable us to advance the frontiers of telecommunications/ICT in Nigeria.”

“We congratulate the leadership of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) for their excellent regulatory role which has put the Nigerian telecom sector on the world map.

“We also express our sincere gratitude to all our sponsors and supporters; Google Nigeria, Tecno Mobile, ATC, Galaxy Backbone, Unotelos Limited, Layer3 Limited, IHS Nigeria Limited, Pan African Towers Limited, Vodacom Business Nigeria, Phase3 Telecom, MainOne, Bitflux Communications Limited, Rack Centre Limited, Information Connectivity Solutions Limited, DotMac Technologies Limited, ICN-Interconnect ClearingHouse Nigeria, eStream Networks Limited, HD Technologies, IPI Solutions Nigeria Limited, Zeta-Web Nigeria Limited, Juniper Solutions Limited, NIRA and of course NCC and NITDA.”