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By Correspondent.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has introduced a ₦250,000 application fee for companies seeking an Interim Service Authorisation (ISA), a temporary licence that allows telecom operators to test new services in the live market before full commercial deployment.
The fee is contained in the Commission’s newly issued General Authorisation Framework, a regulatory initiative designed to promote innovation while safeguarding consumer rights within Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.
According to the NCC, the framework enables startups, technology firms and existing operators to conduct real-world pilot trials without first obtaining a full telecommunications licence.
This, the Commission said, allows service providers to assess technical feasibility, gauge market demand and identify operational risks, while giving the regulator the opportunity to evaluate service quality and consumer impact ahead of broader rollout.
The management of the commission said applicants are required to pay the ₦250,000 administrative fee at the point of submission.
Successful applicants may, however, incur additional costs for spectrum allocation and numbering resources, where applicable.
The Commission explained that the framework forms part of a broader effort to modernise Nigeria’s licensing regime and introduce greater regulatory flexibility.
Announcing the draft framework in July, the NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Aminu Maida, noted that many emerging technologies do not fit neatly into existing licensing categories, necessitating adaptive regulation.
He said the initiative seeks to strike a balance between encouraging innovation and protecting consumer rights and the wider public interest.
Operators granted an ISA will be permitted to test their services under strict regulatory conditions. These include a cap of 10,000 customers, operations limited to approved locations, and continuous monitoring by the Commission.
The authorisation is valid for an initial three-month period and may be renewed once, allowing for a maximum testing window of six months.
To qualify, applicants must demonstrate that their proposed service is innovative or significantly different from existing market offerings.
They are also required to explain how current regulations constrain the service, outline consumer protection measures, and submit monthly progress reports throughout the trial period, according to the commission.
While temporary regulatory forbearance may apply, the NCC stressed that all obligations relating to data protection, security and consumer rights will remain fully enforceable.
NCC further clarified that participation in the ISA framework does not guarantee the eventual issuance of a full telecommunications licence, adding that commercial deployment will depend on regulatory assessments and the availability of appropriate licensing categories.
Industry analysts say the framework could help accelerate innovation in the sector by reducing the risks associated with failed service launches.
By enabling operators to test new solutions before scaling, the NCC aims to encourage experimentation in areas such as spectrum sharing, Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) technologies and other emerging connectivity solutions, without compromising service standards.
