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Excerpt of an Address by Engr. Titi Omo-Ettu, President ATCON at a Press Conference of the National Executive Committee of ATCON.

June 28, 2010

Gentlemen of the Press, You are welcome. As we sit this afternoon to share our thought with you media practitioners who report our industry, we want to appreciate the contribution of the founding fathers of ATCON to build what is now known as a fast growing industry. We salute our Past Presidents Mr. Basil Nwali, Engr. Ernest Ndukwe, Engr, Alaba Joseph of blessed memory; and Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem Immediate Past President, and all the officers of our Association who served along with them. We say without reservation that our Association will continue to run in a professional manner and respect all laws of government and directions of the Nigerian Communications Commission. We request our members to please respect the laws of the land and deal with us on all areas where they find the need that we request for government considerations and intervention in matters relating to our industry. I have it on record that many of you have been sending your questions to us and we have been attending to them. So we may not be saying anything entirely new here today. The opportunity that this conference gives is that it enables us to answer questions that might not have been attended to or addressed by normal methods. Industry Restructuring Federal government’s effort in putting in place an on-going policy review of the Communications legislation as it is ought to be commended. It denotes a vision of a unified Information Communications Technology industry encompassing a convergence and transformation of our broadcast, telecommunications and computer industries into an ICT industry which is immeasurably better for our economy. We advocate that government proceeds with caution and resist the simplistic reading in certain quarters, of industry restructuring to mean a merger of government agencies. We are aware of the fact that a study report, produced in 2006 has already been so delayed that the document needs to be revised by experts to reflect the pace of change in the industry. Regulation We advocate regular meetings between the Regulator, Nigerian Communications Commission, and representatives of our industry to resolve many contentious issues which may alleviate the need for litigation in a manner similar to what is deployed by members of the public on Telecom Consumers Parliament which, by the way, remains a commendable initiative. There will be specific reference to the following issues for discussion and resolution: A Reduction in commercialization tendencies of the Nigerian Communications Commission Payment of Fees for Numbering Plan and renewal fees for same. Multiple Regulation resulting in unfair (sometimes frivolous) taxation Amendment of the laws establishing other regulators to avoid regulating telecommunications which is on the exclusive list of the Federal Constitution. Unfair Taxation We advice governments (States and Local government in particular) to resist the temptation to levy a windfall on telecommunications companies on the specious premise that the telecommunications industry is enjoying excessive profits. We request tax harmonization to be levied and instituted by local and state governments in line with their constitutional obligations rather than targeted at a particular sector or industry. SIM Card Registration Our take is that the SIM Card Registration which is ordered by the NCC is already in progress. We commend the Federal Legislature for backing the intervention by proposing a parliamentary act. We have already made contribution to the draft. We favour a 24 month implementation period. Public enlightenment by NCC should be emphasized Number Portability We see Number portability as an acceptable industry management tool by which industry can improve its delivery The benefits of Number portability is however not as dramatic as to let it be handled in a hurry While accepting its desirability a longer implementation period is equally desirable. Lawful Interception - for public security related issues. We will advise on the following: Check and balances to avoid abuse Rollout cost to be borne by government. A judicial review of interception regulation and processes

OTHER Issues

Category 1	Those we shall bring to attention of Public Convergence of Regulation: ‘Merger’ of NCC & NBC - my position Contacting Us: Email, Phone calls, website, TOE of TAA and TOE of ATCON
Category 2	Those that will be confined within our membership We shall keep that within ourselves
Category 3	Our relationship with the Media Within the limits of the infallibility of man, we have been largely satisfied by coverage of our industry by the media. Indeed they are the unmentioned wing of best players. We shall build on that to ensure that our industry keeps thriving in spite of all odds We shall offer training to media practitioners so they understand our industry better since there are many young ones these days.
Category 4	Our relationship with politicians We shall invite Presidential candidates to address our members on what they plan to do with ICT.

Thank you as we take questions. Engr. Titi Omo-Ettu, FNSE President, ATCON. Lagos June 28, 2010

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