Telcos Demand Regulatory Clarity on Airtime, Data Services

Telecommunications operators in Nigeria, represented by the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and its chairman Gbenga Adebayo, have called for a clear regulatory framework from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) regarding airtime and data credit services. This request follows a judgment delivered by Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court in Lagos, which affirmed the FCCPC's authority to regulate these services under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act of 2018, while also preserving the NCC's exclusive responsibilities under the Nigerian Communications Act of 2003.

The court's ruling emphasized that the roles of both regulatory bodies are complementary and can coexist without displacing one another. Adebayo welcomed the decision, stating it provides necessary clarity for the telecommunications industry and urged both agencies to engage with industry stakeholders for formal consultations before enforcing any actions.