APART from its core functions of ensuring robust regulation of telecommunication service providers who are encouraged to treat the subscribers as kings and queens, the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) is often seen by some critics as a law enforcement agency that should perhaps arrest and prosecute erring operators.

This should not be so”, according to the Director of Public Affairs, Tony Ojobo.The NCC as a regulator of choice in Africa carries on its mandate according to the NCC Act of 2003 and several regulatory templates and guidelines.

“That is why we have embarked on the current phone-in-live program on radio stations across the country to explain to everybody in an interactive format what our activities are and our limit” Ojobo stated this in some radio programs that took place in the South – South East geopolitical zones of the country, recently.

In response to what role NCC plays Ojobo explained: “The Nigerian Communication Commission is the agency of government that is responsible for regulating the telecommunication industry and our role includes licensing of all telecommunication operators, including vendors of telecommunication equipment, it also includes type approval of telecommunication equipment and devices including cellphones.

The NCC Type-Approves all of these kinds of equipment. The Commission’s functions also include consumer education, consumer information and consumer protection, setting up of standards for operators in the industry. It includes monitoring the compliance of operators and service providers to the terms, the conditions and obligations that we have in their licenses.”

Ojobo disclosed that this also includes creating access and ensuring that there is access to telecommunication and that there is competition in the industry in such a way that Nigerian consumers have value for money for services that are provided for them . In a nutshell I will say these are the functions of the Commission”

He said the NCC has offices in Abuja, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Kano, Ibadan and Lagos.
“We have a customer contact center which is a toll free number, 622, which is our contact center number for resolving complaints for services provided by the Telecom operators.

We are also on the Facebook, on Twitter and on YouTube. Facebook.com/Nigerian Communication Commission and our twitter handle is @ngcomcommission and YouTube is Nigerian Communications Commission.