telecommunications industry regulator, has put in place measures to
support initiatives by other stakeholders to curtail this scourge.
The Commission, in conjunction with industry players and all other
government agencies, has agreed to reduce the frequency of physical
meetings all through the period of the coronavirus outbreak and
considered alternative electronic meeting platforms, in order to reduce
person-to-person contact that may arise from travels or meetings.
Departments within the Commission that interface with customers have
developed e-platforms where all licensing requests, consumer complaints
and base transceiver station (BTS) investigation requests could be
channeled or provide designated e-mail addresses to be used for such
requests throughout the pandemic period.
The Commission has also approved resource sharing by operators
throughout the period of coronavirus. These include fibre optics cables
and other resources in the event of cable cuts and other unforeseen
developments during the period of coronavirus outbreak.
The Commission has also directed Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to
ensure that their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes are
in tandem with government initiatives to curtail the COVID-19 pandemic
in order to provide safety and support aid materials that will protect
the public against coronavirus.
All social and official visits to the Commission have been cancelled
immediately and visitors advised to use relevant online platforms and or
telephone services in accessing the Commission’s services.
For those who may be affected, the Commission implores them to take
advantage of the Emergency Communications Centres (ECCs) by dialing the
toll-free number 112.
The NCC supports Right of Passage (RoP) for all telecommunications
members for easy movement in the event of a total lockdown and or
restriction of movement.
The regulator is also in support of RoP for suppliers that are involved
in supplies of fuels, foods and other support services to telecom
operators, to allow for free movement in the event of partial or total
lockdown as a result of the coronavirus.
The Commission is in touch with Law Enforcement Agencies to constantly
protect telecom infrastructure nationwide. The NCC will come out from
time to time with enlightenment information on the dangers of the virus
so that consumers can be guided accordingly.
Since we are in this together, no effort would be spared to bring this
deadly disease to an end.