By George Ozalla
The Nigerian Communications Commission has commenced a wide-ranging review of Nigeria’s telecommunications sector as part of efforts to gain a clearer understanding of competition within the industry and to promote innovation, fair pricing, and sustainable growth.
The review is intended to provide a detailed assessment of how the sector is currently performing, particularly in the areas of market structure, pricing practices, and access to critical infrastructure. It is also expected to examine how consumer behaviour and usage patterns are evolving in response to increasing demand for digital and broadband services across the country.
To support the process, the Commission has engaged PricewaterhouseCoopers to carry out the study. The consultancy is expected to analyse market dynamics across different segments of the industry, review pricing trends among operators, and assess existing infrastructure-sharing arrangements, as well as their impact on competition and service delivery.
Industry observers say the exercise will help the NCC identify gaps in the current regulatory framework, address concerns around market dominance and pricing, and create a more balanced environment that encourages investment while protecting consumers.
The review comes amid growing pressure on Nigeria’s telecom networks, driven by rising data consumption, expanding digital services, and increasing expectations from consumers. The findings are expected to shape future regulatory actions and policy decisions aimed at strengthening the sector and improving the overall experience for telecom users nationwide.
