NCC Begins Telecom Policy Overhaul, Seeks Lower Right-Of-Way Fees, Streamlined Taxes

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has kicked off a major review of Nigeria’s National Telecommunications Policy (NTP) 2000, targeting lower right-of-way (ROW) fees and streamlined taxes to ease infrastructure costs and boost sector growth.

The commission released a consultation document on Monday, inviting feedback from stakeholders, operators, and the public on modernising the nearly three-decade-old framework.

The NCC aims to address high ROW charges—which drove a sharp cost surge for operators in 2024—through harmonised fees, a new broadband chapter, and faster permitting processes nationwide.

This follows the NCC’s November 2025 review of related regulations, such as Licensing and Enforcement Processes, underscoring efforts to cut bottlenecks and support innovation.

The NCC stated that the review aims to modernise the policy to reflect current realities in digital services, internet governance, satellite communications, broadband development, and universal connectivity, while reinforcing the sector’s role in economic growth.

Despite years of growth, high right-of-way charges remain a major obstacle to telecom infrastructure expansion, and data from the NCC show that operators’ costs surged sharply in 2024, largely driven by these fees, impacting network investment and service quality.

Beyond revising existing sections, the NCC is proposing a new chapter dedicated to broadband development, protection of critical communications infrastructure, harmonisation of right-of-way charges, and the introduction of a streamlined permitting process for telecom infrastructure deployment nationwide.

The commission stated that this approach is designed to reduce deployment bottlenecks, lower operating costs, and accelerate nationwide connectivity.

In November 2025, the NCC began reviewing three regulatory instruments—the Licensing Regulations, Enforcement Processes Regulations, and the Internet Code of Practice—to improve efficiency, support innovation, and facilitate business in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.

The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), Aminu Maida, who was represented by Rimini Makama, Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, noted that the review of the three regulatory guidelines is aimed at keeping pace with changes in the communications industry.

He said the regulations under review are central to maintaining a competitive communications sector.

The Head of Legal and Regulatory Services (LRS), Chizua Whyte, represented by the Deputy Director of LRS, stated that the NCC is empowered under the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 to develop and amend regulatory instruments as part of its governance of the communications sector.

“Several amendments and new provisions have been made to key instruments, which will be reviewed during this public inquiry, reflecting the Commission’s participatory approach to regulation,” Whyte said.

The communications industry continues to transform in the digital era, driven by technological advances and new connectivity models, underscoring the need for updated, responsive regulatory frameworks.

The regulator explained that the 2000 policy was introduced at a time when Nigeria was transitioning from state-controlled telecommunications to a liberalised and competitive market.

The framework replaced an earlier policy and helped dismantle the monopoly of the defunct Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL), paving the way for private sector participation and market-driven growth.

The NCC, however, said technological innovation and market evolution have now rendered the existing framework outdated, necessitating a fresh approach to address platform-based digital services, broadband-reliant applications, and emerging non-terrestrial networks such as satellite systems.

As part of the reform process, the NCC is proposing updates to multiple sections of the policy, including a revision of the chapter on internet services to strengthen online safety, internet exchange systems, content moderation, and regulation of digital platforms operating in Nigeria.

The commission is also reviewing the satellite communications framework to create clearer guidelines for satellite service provisioning, spectrum mapping, and coordination between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks.

Another focus is financing and funding, with proposed measures to strengthen fiscal and monetary support for sector growth amid ongoing economic reforms.

The regulator is seeking stakeholder input on tackling persistent challenges such as multiple taxation and overlapping regulations that continue to burden telecom operators.