Orange Group visits NCC, determined to lead telecom sector
By Felicia Nwosu
International telecom investor-operator, Orange Group, has met with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), where it expressed its interest, plans and determination to become a major player in the Nigerian telecom sector in areas of mobile, data, fixed and financial technology support services. This intention was revealed by a six-member team of Orange Middle East and Africa, led by Victoria Adefala, who paid a business visit to Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC in Abuja.
Mrs. Adefala, an Independent Non-Executive Director on the Board of Orange Group, while reaffirming their mission, said it is to ensure steady and long term investment. She pointed out that Nigeria is missing in Orange Group’s portfolio of combined networks of over 140 million subscribers across 18 countries of its operations, while encouraging Nigerians to embrace the opportunity.
“We are here to ensure steady investment for a long term. We also want to support the vision of the commission in driving broadband penetration for a robust digital economy and leverage on local content development initiatives.”
Orange’s Africa Director of Regulatory Affairs, Mr. Jean Chalhoub, on his part, highlighted the need for more clarifications on several regulatory and policy issues that will engender the company’s speedy entry into the country.
Elaborating on the visit, NCC Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, said the African continent is endowed with vast economic and marketing opportunities that can be harnessed for further growth.
“The large market potentials buoyed by the huge population, impressive Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figure, proximity to our operations in neighboring African countries, as well as the appreciable friendly operating environment are great motivators for our expansion plan into the Nigerian telecom market.”
The Executive Vice Chairman of NCC promised a robust policy and regulatory environment that provides quality and has full support of the Federal Government, as evidenced in the contents of such instruments, like the Executive Order 001 on the promotion of transparency and efficiency in business, the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), and the Federal Government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).
He said the commission has also taken several other regulatory steps aimed at improving the operational environment, such as ongoing collaboration with Nigerian Governor’s Forum (NGF) to reduce RoW charges on telecom infrastructure deployments; signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with various government and institutional stakeholders across the country; developed guidelines and regulations to promote collocation of infrastructure.
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