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Value added services: NCC seeks inputs over regulatory framework

The concern, according to NCC, is to ensure that the potentials in VAS is maximised as well as contribute towards regulating the all important aspect…

The concern, according to NCC, is to ensure that the potentials in VAS is maximised as well as contribute towards regulating the all important aspect of service delivery to customers.
A mobile value-added service (VAS) is associated with non-core services, or in short, all services beyond standard voice calls and fax transmissions.
According to industry statistics, mobile VAS is currently worth over $200 million annually with huge potential to accelerate to $500 million in the next five years.
Speaking during an interactive session with the VAS and Mobile Network operators, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah disclosed that findings showed that the exponential growth in the Nigerian telecoms industry in the last 12 years has given rise to the evolution of the mobile phone from a device just to support communications requirements to a smart platform with the capacity to provide a plethora of service.
According to him, identifiable services include mobile entertainment, caller-tune, ring-back tunes, music download, news breaks, Biblical and inspirational quotes, flights information, tele-marketing, among others.
He explained that evident in the system is the operations of ‘data miners’ and network hackers who are threatening the good intentions of mobile value added service providers and mobile network operators that have seen mobile VAS as palliative to the dwindling average revenue per user (ARPU) in the voice services owing to increased competition.
According to him, most of the operators are negligent of the basic operational guidelines which call for stricter regulatory framework.
The EVC said, the “Commission has witnessed some practices and behaviours in the VAS segment which as individuals subscribers and as industry regulator have given us a lots of concern.”
Juwah said that the commission has received avalanche of complainants from subscribers regarding forceful activation of various value added services by operators without explicit consent.
Head, Compliance and Enforcement Department of the NCC, Mr. Efosa Idehen said that indeed the participatory regulation has become entrenched in their corporate culture, as a means of soliciting industry response to a host of issues.
He said, “This is to ensure to ensuring that whatever policies and regulations we come up with, enjoy wide acceptance within the industry.”

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