ADVERTISEMENT

Apex telecom body to start regulating BBM, Facebook, WhatsApp, others

The NCC, in a 23-page document titled: ‘An Overview of Provision of Over-The-Top (OTT) Services’ stated that the growing influence of these social media platforms posed an obvious threat to the operation of traditional telephone networks.

Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, NCC CEO/EVC

Media reports reveal that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) announced on Tuesday that it will soon start regulating the activities of Over-The-Top (OTT) players in the Nigerian telecommunications market.

OTT players are platforms like Facebook, Skype, WhatsApp, Viber, BlackberryMessenger (BBM) and WeChat, and so on, that deliver audio, video, and other media over the Internet without a multiple-system operator in control of distribution of the content.

The NCC further explained that OTT platforms are services based on the Voice over IP communication protocol (VoIP), a technology that is rapidly gaining ground against traditional telephone network technologies, adding that with the increase in uptake of mobile VoIP services provided by apps such as Google, Facebook, Skype, Viber and WhatsApp, telecom operators “face the risk of eroding revenues and profitability.”

ADVERTISEMENT

This comes just a few days after Spectranet CEO, DavidVenn, had stated that Nigerians would stop using traditional telecom services to make calls, instead opting to used data-based VoIP services to make calls and text, by 2019.

It is unclear what this means exactly for the OTT platforms, in relation to telcos, but Pulse Tech will keep you updated as the situation unfolds.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Lagos postpones eagerly anticipated Easter boat regatta indefinitely

Lagos postpones eagerly anticipated Easter boat regatta indefinitely

Third Mainland Bridge reopens in 1 week, formal ceremony later - Minister

Third Mainland Bridge reopens in 1 week, formal ceremony later - Minister

Sanwo-Olu opens 'Sunday market' on Good Friday for Easter shopping

Sanwo-Olu opens 'Sunday market' on Good Friday for Easter shopping

Wike thanks Tinubu for the opportunity to serve

Wike thanks Tinubu for the opportunity to serve

Barrister Bida pens special birthday prayer for President Tinubu, Nigerians

Barrister Bida pens special birthday prayer for President Tinubu, Nigerians

Tinubu’s aide distributes food items to 1,750 persons in FCT, Kwara

Tinubu’s aide distributes food items to 1,750 persons in FCT, Kwara

Court grants senator accused of forging NYSC certificate ₦50m bail

Court grants senator accused of forging NYSC certificate ₦50m bail

Delta monarch declared wanted by military surrenders to police

Delta monarch declared wanted by military surrenders to police

Renowned Canada-based Nigerian playwright, Oguntokun is dead

Renowned Canada-based Nigerian playwright, Oguntokun is dead

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT