- The Nigerian Communications Commission wants to limit telecom operators to seven plans in a new structure
- The new tariff structure will be unveiled on December 13
- The new structure comes amid calls for tariff increment by telecom operators
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says telecommunication operators will be limited to a maximum of seven tariff plans in the new structure to be unveiled on December 13.
The NCC said the new simplified tariff structure for telecommunications operators will be vital in streamlining tariff plans, increasing transparency and improving the consumer experience.
The Executive Vice Chairman of the commission, Dr Aminu Maida, disclosed this during an interactive session with the media in Abuja, on Friday, November 29.
Maida, represented by the Director of Public Affairs of the commission, Mr Reuben Muoka, noted that the new tariff plan will address consumer concerns and dispel misconceptions about data and airtime usage.
He said, “On December 13, 2024, we will announce the new tariff plan, replacing the original October 27 date.
“After extensive consultations with stakeholders, operators will be limited to a maximum of seven tariff plans. This change aims to provide relief to telecom consumers and clarify misconceptions regarding the use of data and airtime.”
The NCC added that the tariff simplification will engender fair competition among operators while making it easier for consumers to make informed decisions about their telecom expenses.
Concerns about data depletion
The NCC also noted that its investigation into concerns of data depletion largely varies across devices.
In this regard, the commission said it has embarked on awareness campaigns across the country to educate telecom users about data usage and consumption.
Maida said, “We mandated operators to engage reputable audit firms, which found that data consumption varies across devices, especially Android phones. Consumers need to understand that data usage depends on device settings and the apps running in the background.”
Operators to update contact details
The NCC has also directed telecom operators to update their contact details with the commission by January 9, 2025, as part of regulatory oversight.
The commission warned that non-compliance by operators could result in penalties, including fines, suspension, or the revocation of licenses.
It said, “This directive is part of the NCC’s efforts to enhance industry oversight and ensure the sector remains robust and well-regulated.”
Operators called for a tariff review
Telecom operators have often stated the need for tariff review due to challenges facing the sector, especially increased operational costs occasioned by rising inflation and foreign exchange volatility.
The National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS) recently urged the NCC to approve a 10 per cent tariff increase as a buffer for telecom operators amid challenges in the sector.
Recall that MTN Nigeria’s CEO, Karl Toriola, had warned of the company’s imminent shutdown if the telecommunications tariff is not hiked, noting that the company, despite its seven per cent contribution to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), now operates on its reserves, which is not sustainable over time.
There are concerns about Nigeria’s internet consumption, which declined to 850,249.09 terabytes in September 2024 from 694,804.54 TB in February 2024.
The seven-month decline in data usage comes at a time when the country’s subscriber base decreased, which may not be unconnected with the recent verification of National Identification Numbers linked with SIM cards undertaken by telcos.
The NIN-SIM card linkage, which was concluded on September 14, had the four major telcos in Nigeria deactivate 64.3 million lines.
120 million Nigerians lack access to the internet due to infrastructural gaps –Report
Meanwhile, TheRadar reported that according to GSMA’s State of Mobile Connectivity Report 2024, half of Nigeria’s population (120 million) lacks access to mobile internet due to infrastructural gaps.
The report noted that the usage gap is still a challenge in low- and medium-income countries (LMICs) such as Nigeria. The usage gap is the population that lives within the footprint of a mobile broadband network but does not use mobile internet.
