Telecommunications operators back licensing of Twitter, other social media

Nigerian telecommunications operators have backed the directive of the Federal Government to register Over-The-Top (OTT) service providers in the country.
They are of the opinion that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) supposed to register them rather than the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC)
They said it is within the ambit of the NCC Act to issue licences to OTT service providers.
Acccording to Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, the licensing of OTT has to happen, but certainly not by NBC but NCC.
“Indeed yes, Over the Top “OTT” is a layer on communication channels provided on telecom services: it’s part of the Quad Play of Broadbands, which refers to Telephony, Television, Internet and other Mobile Services
“It’s part of the convergence of telecommunications and broadcasting and the regulator of the base infrastructure should be responsible for licensing of the players which in this case and in our understanding is the Nigeria Communications Commission.
“It is a conversation that needs to happen but not under the current circumstances of a suspension of Twitter as a service and the directive for licensing arising therefrom,” Adebayo said.
The NBC had directed broadcasting stations to desist from patronising Twitter, a micro blogging social media platform.