The Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) has ordered mobile network operators to perform an independent assessment of their pricing processes in response to escalating subscriber concerns over data depletion.
Reuben Mouka, the NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, issued a statement on Thursday describing the regulation, which seeks to enhance openness and accountability in data usage and billing methods.
Furthermore, the NCC is taking steps to simplify pricing plans, which aligns with its overall aim of increasing openness in the telecommunications sector.
The NCC also stated that this programme aims to provide consumers with clearer and more understandable pricing options, allowing them to make educated judgements about their network preferences and service selections.
“Consumers are empowered to make the right network selection, enjoy seamless onboarding into the network of their choice, enjoy quality service at fair costs, receive responsive customer service, and enjoy protected off-boarding where they choose to leave the network.
“To address consumer complaints on data depletion, the commission has directed mobile network operators (MNOs) to conduct an independent audit of their billing systems and is concluding a consultation process to simplify tariff plans. These initiatives would provide enhanced transparency to the consumer,” the statement highlighted.
The regulator highlighted its support for identifying telecom infrastructure as vital national infrastructure.
According to the NCC, this classification would prioritise the protection and development of telecom infrastructure, ensuring its resilience and reliability in meeting the nation’s needs.
In addition to these steps, the NCC has announced ambitious aims for dramatically improving the quality of services (QoS) in the telecoms sector.
The regulator is actively pursuing a 50% improvement in QoS by the end of the year, in accordance with the orders issued by the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani.
Under Dr. Tijani’s Strategic Agenda 2023, the NCC has committed to numerous significant goals, including increasing Nigeria’s broadband penetration rate to 70% by the end of 2025.
Furthermore, the Commission intends to provide reliable data download rates of 25 Mbps in urban areas and 10 Mbps in rural areas by the end of 2025.
By 2026, the NCC hopes to have covered at least 80% of the country’s population, with a focus on underserved and unserved areas.
Furthermore, the Commission aims to significantly reduce the percentage of unconnected Nigerians in rural areas, with the goal of lowering it from 61% to less than 20% by 2027.
The NCC’s strategic strategy also calls for a large rise in broadband investment, with a goal growth rate of 300 percent to 500 percent by the end of 2027.
