The Nigerian Communication Commission, NCC, today presented the proposed regulatory framework for A2P messaging as part of the Commission’s commitment to foster innovation while ensuring that all players in the value chain operate in a fair, transparent, and secure environment.
The presentation was made at a virtual Stakeholders’ Forum, as part of NCC’s participatory rule-making process, to discuss the licensing framework around a new licence category in the Nigerian telecom sector, which the Commission is developing. It is called Application-to-Person (A2P) Messaging Licensing Framework.
The goal of the NCC according to its EVC, Dr Aminu Maida, who spoke at the forum, “is to create a sustainable and thriving A2P messaging ecosystem that protects consumers, promotes fair competition and unlocks new opportunities for growth.
Application-to-Person (A2P) messaging is a communication format in the telecommunications sector used to send Short Message Services (SMS) or sending notifications from an application directly to a recipient’s mobile phone. A2P is initiated through the Internet but recipients receive messages via Cellular Connection
The EVC Speech, Highlight salient issues at the event and a presentation by the Licensing and Authorisation Department of NCC, explaining, in detail, issues around A2P Service, to the benefits to Nigerians, the telecom industry and the entire socio-economic system in Nigeria.
The issues highlighted include current Status of International A2P Messaging, justification for Licensing, Scope of License, key Licensing features, technical & security requirements, regulatory compliance, and benefits of the License
The Commission presented the various feedbacks received as inputs into the A2P Licensing Framework being proposed by the Commission and gave NCC’s responses to each, or the observations and recommendations made by the licensees.
- Aside, the Virtual Stakeholders’ Forum, held today, which the Commission says is the beginning of a process, the NCC says it will continue to engage internal and external stakeholders ahead of the Final Draft of the A2P Messaging Services Licensing Framework in line with its participatory rule making process.
- There was also a presentation by an Assistant Director at the Licensing and Authorisation Department of the NCC, Mrs. Truddy Tony-Awusaku, which provides an Overview of Framework for International A2P Messaging in Nigeria (the PowerPoint Presentation (PPT) has been copied and pasted below for you in plain Word text for ease of access.
