The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has introduced a zero-rated access framework that will provide students with 100MB of free data daily for approved educational websites and digital learning platforms.
The initiative, launched in Abuja on Thursday, targets public secondary schools and public tertiary institutions, with participating mobile network operators expected to provide the daily data allowance at no cost to users.
The framework is designed to address challenges that affected previous NCC interventions aimed at improving internet access in educational institutions, particularly the inability of beneficiary schools to renew data bundles after they expired.
Speaking at the launch, the Director of Policy, Competition and Economic Analysis at the NCC, Ayuba Shuaibu, said the new model would provide a different approach to sustaining access to online educational resources.
“The framework also adopts the operator sponsor model for the initial rollout of the initiative under this model. A daily zero-rated data allowance of 100 MB will be provided for usage, on approved websites and platforms.”
The zero-rated access will apply to approved educational websites and platforms rather than unrestricted internet use, meaning students will be able to access designated learning resources without the daily allowance being charged as regular internet data.
Shuaibu said the framework establishes rules governing the platforms, institutions and operators participating in the initiative.
He said, “It establishes a structured governance system by which the Federal Ministry of Education and the commission would jointly approve educational platforms, to be widely listed for participation in the initiative.
“It mandates, compliance, with applicable communications, laws, cybersecurity, consumer protection, child protection, and data, protection regulations.
“Its categories of eligible platforms will include learning, management systems, LMS, digital libraries, educational repositories, teacher, development platforms, and technical and vocational training platforms.
“It also provides safeguards to preserve net neutrality, promote fair competition, and ensure inclusivity.
“The framework also adopts the operator sponsor model for the initial rollout, under which participating mobile network operators are expected to provide the daily zero-rated data allowance for use on approved platforms.”
Shuaibu said the initiative was introduced partly to address problems encountered under previous interventions, which relied on providing ICT tools and internet connectivity alongside data bundles that had to be renewed after expiration.
He continued, “It has been characterised by post-implementation challenges the notable challenge is the Renewal of bundles, because the intervention that the commission has been making in the past is by way of providing ICT tools and internet connectivity.
“But the implementation, challenge is the renewal of bundles because the schools, that are the beneficiaries, institutions, could not afford to renew bundles after every expiration.”
He said the commission was also unable to sustain the renewal of bundles across all beneficiary institutions because of competing demands for its funds.
“The solution for that has been found, and this is what we have been doing. This initiative is completely different from the past. Different in terms of approach, different in terms of delivery.”
The NCC said the framework would also provide for monitoring and quality assurance as implementation progresses.
Shuaibu said the commission would periodically assess the initiative to identify shortcomings and determine how the system could be improved.
“As the implementation progresses, the NCC will from time to time, impact assessment will be carried out to assess how best the operation of the system can be improved, and also to see the areas where we have challenges and to find also ways of addressing those challenges.”
In his remarks, the Chairman of the NCC Board, Mr Idris Ibikunle, acknowledged the implementation of the initiative but noted that the next phase would be to address rural access.
According to him, every community should have access to opportunities to be educated or enlightened.
Ibikunle said, “This is Part of the work that we do on the board. So this 100 MB per day, in a month that is 3 GB, which is substantial can still not be accessed by some kids.
“So, the next step is how can we aggressively take service to the unserved?. So when every community are given access it means that we are giving X number of students or children, the opportunity to be educated or enlightened.”
In his remarks, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, noted that the initiative was designed to be sustainable and that the infrastructure put in place would outlast the current board.
Maida further urged eligible students to utilise the opportunity provided by the initiative.
