The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is spearheading a comprehensive reform of the telecommunications sector, aiming to restore consumer trust and confidence. The move comes amidst growing concerns over persistent disruptions to calls and data services provided by major operators.
New Measures to Enhance Transparency and Accountability
To address these issues, the NCC has introduced several key measures:
- Tariff Simplification Method: To tackle price uncertainty, the commission will classify all tariffs featuring bonuses or promotional elements as promotions. Details will be submitted to the Consumer Affairs Bureau and Technical Standard and Network Integrity (TSNI) for Quality of Service (QoS) evaluation.
- Clear and Uniform Tariff Format: Benefits and allowances (voice, SMS, and data) must be stated in a clear, user-friendly format, including number of minutes/SMS, cost per minute/SMS, available and total data in MB/GB, and validity periods.
- Limited Tariff Plans: The NCC has placed a limit on the number of tariff plans an operator can offer at any given time, similar to the approach in India.
- Publicly Available Tariffs: Approved tariffs will be published on the NCC’s website.
Joint Industry Committee for Consumer Awareness
A Joint Industry Committee on Consumer Awareness has been established to educate consumers on smarter data management and correct negative perceptions about data depletion. The campaign, launched in June 2024, utilizes SMS blasts, social media posts, frontline staff sensitization, radio jingles, and guest appearances on radio stations.
The NCC’s efforts aim to foster a healthier, more trustworthy, and consumer-centered telecommunications environment in Nigeria. With the telecommunications industry contributing 14% to GDP growth, job creation, and innovation across multiple sectors, these reforms are crucial for the nation’s economic transformation.
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