NCC Urges MNOs To Switch To Renewable Energy For Cheaper Telecommunications Services

In order to lower the cost of telecom services, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has urged Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to switch from fossil fuel to renewable energy.

During the 2023 World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) in Abuja, the Executive Vice-Chairman (EVC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, stated on Wednesday that doing so will also contribute in the fight against climate change.

"Empowering Consumers Through Clean Energy Transitions" is the focus of the WCRD.

The Executive Commissioner for Stakeholders' Management, Adeleke Adewolu, spoke on behalf of Danbatta, which said that switching from fossil fuels to renewable energy would significantly lessen the damage that climate change had done to the environment.

“To minimise the environmental impacts of climate change caused by carbon emissions, telecom network providers need to come up with a modern and more energy-efficient network.

“This includes the use of Solar-powered Cells, wireless electricity or a hybrid system to replace higher energy-consuming equipment that will lead to a reduction in capital expenditure (CAPEX).

“Operational expenditure (OPEX) and by implication, a reduction in service costs to consumers.

“Transitioning to renewable energy is predicted to result in a lower cost of operation as operators will be able to save the cost of diesel, which accounts for a large chunk of the costs incurred by these licensees.

“I want to use this opportunity to call on MNOs and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to come up with innovations in sustainable energy in line with the International.”

The EVC stated that the competition that the commission continually encouraged among market participants had a logical outcome of the savings on the price of diesel passed on to consumers.

Danbatta added that there might be a decrease in service pricing as a result.

He asserts that the NCC is developing a clean energy strategy that will be advantageous to MNOs, customers, and the environment.

ITU-T L.1380 recommendation on smart energy solutions for telecom facilities' performance, safety, energy efficiency, and environmental effect, according to Danbatta.

“This is vital to address the challenges of climate change and environmental degradation.

“In this regard and for the industry stakeholders, especially consumers, to benefit from the advantages of renewable energy, the Commission is working on a policy to encourage the adoption of renewable energy sources by operators.”

He said that once in effect, the policy would guarantee that the three primary requirements of the telecom sector could be met by employing clean energy sources for power.

The three most important requirements are a decrease in diesel use, an increase in telecom infrastructure in off-grid locations, and a reduction in carbon emissions.

The redesign of the Radio Access Networks (RAN) of Base Stations, which were initially developed to maximise connection rather than energy efficiency, is one of these energy-saving techniques, according to Danbatta.

“More than 75 per cent of the time, the radio base station resources remain unused because of the hardware components activated at all times to transmit system information and synchronisation and reference signals.”

The impact of using fossil fuel as a source of power in the telecoms industry, he claimed, has created realities and issues that the commission, as a responsive organisation of the highest calibre, has been proactive in addressing.

“In this regard, the situation in Nigeria is peculiar.

“Owing to the overall energy challenges of the nation, the fifty-four thousand Base Transceiver Station (BTS) scattered across the country depend on diesel generators with the attendant noise and environmental pollution.

”Some of these BTS operate on diesel generators for 24 hours across seven days of the week in some locations.

“Therefore, transitioning to a renewable energy source like solar power will significantly reduce the menace of pollution from individually-powered generators.” The EVC said.

The Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders’ Management, Adeleke Adewolu, explained that the theme would examine unintended side effects of critical social infrastructure in the environment.

Adewolu, represented by Ayanbanji Ojo, Head of Consumer Affairs Bureau, NCC, said the Nigerian telecoms industry now boasts of over 226 million voice customers and over 156 million internet customers as at January 31, 2023.

“This theme allows us to carefully examine the unintended side-effects of our critical social infrastructure on our environment.

“The Nigerian telecoms industry today boasts of over 226 million voice customers and over 156million internet customers as at 31 January, 2023.

“These consumers leverage on communications infrastructure for social interaction, health service, access to education, banking, etc.”

Adewoul called on network operators to roll-out more infrastructure for coverage in new, mostly rural areas, and for network expansion in already saturated urban markets.

“Emerging technologies like 5th Generation (5G) mobile services will also require more infrastructure.

“These infrastructure components are mostly powered by fossil fuels to ensure 100 per cent availability,” he said.

NCC had launched a Telecom Consumer Assistance, Resolution and Enquiries (TELCARE) Desk in the Arrival Lounge of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja to help solve telecom issues.l lounge.

The TELCARE Desk in Abuja will be a pilot as NCC plans to set up the desk at strategic locations across the country to provide information to telecom consumers.