Following series of complaints by consumers on services provided by network operators, the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) has said that when operational, the Mobile Number Portability will tremendously impact on the quality of services offered by service providers.

Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Commission, Dr. Eugene Juwah, told a gathering of top media executives and ICT correspondents in Abuja that with the near completion of SIM cards registration, it would assist the commission to implement the number portability, thereby, improve on telecoms services.

According to Juwah, "mobile number portability will broaden the choice available to subscribers and on its own impose a code of behaviour on the operators who will want to provide top notch services in order to retain their subscribers."

The EVC explained that "Without doubt, mobile number portability will impact on the quality of service on our various networks although other cardinal steps are being taken to ensure that our service providers are constantly kept on their toes to make them give the best services to their subscribers."

On the issue of regulation, Juwah observed that efforts are in to gear to strengthen NCC's Compliance and Enforcement Unit in quest to rid the sector of untoward practices.

"Recently the unit had embarked on a lot of enforcement activities, and in one of such actions the office of a major GSM operator in Abuja was shut down. It was painful action to take but we realised that the action was good if we have to confront some key problems facing the industry like quality of service," Juwah said.

The commission further assured of better days ahead, as it is remodeling its concept for optimum services. To that effect, Juwah said, "The days ahead are going to be fraught with myriad of activities and more challenges, growth in the sector will encourage more investment, the industry is desired to maintain its growth as synergy for Public Private Partnership (PPP) model in Nigeria."

He denied speculations that the commission was protecting network operators to the detriment of Nigerian consumers. He rather informed journalists that value for services is the basis upon which NCC operates, and will not deviate from such responsibilities