The Nigerian Communications Commission has assured telecom operators of its commitment to addressing the rising costs impacting the industry.
Speaking during the 93rd Telecom Consumer Parliament in Abuja on Thursday, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, acknowledged the economic challenges facing operators and outlined measures aimed at ensuring the sector’s sustainability.
He said, “We cannot ignore the impact of current macroeconomic challenges and the rising cost of business in the country, which affects the ability of operators to make the necessary investments in the sector.
“The Commission is mindful of this and is actively working with other arms of government and stakeholders to address these issues and ensure the industry’s sustainability.”
In his keynote address at the event, Maida highlighted the progress of the Nigerian telecom sector over the past two decades.
He noted that the transition from basic voice services to 5G-enabled innovations, such as smart cities and the Internet of Things, has driven significant digital adoption.
Maida also explained that data usage and billing transparency have emerged as major consumer concerns, prompting the NCC to audit the billing systems of Mobile Network Operators and Internet Service Providers.
While the audits revealed no significant issues, the perception of rapid data depletion persists, which the EVC attributed to two main factors: advanced high-resolution devices consuming more data, and the complexity of tariff structures.
He noted that as data consumption grows, fuelled by digital advancements, consumer concerns over data depletion and billing transparency must be addressed.
He stated, “Globally, DataReportal notes there are now over 5 billion internet users, with Nigeria alone accounting for 132 million connections. Nigerians spend an average of 4 hours and 20 minutes on social media daily, far above the global average, underscoring how deeply embedded digital interaction is in our lives.
“In 2024, Nigeria’s daily data usage averaged 336 gigabytes per second, marking a 39% increase from the previous year—a clear indication of the data-driven lifestyle many Nigerians lead.
“Despite this, many consumers feel their data depletes faster than expected, a sentiment I often hear.”
To tackle these concerns, the NCC launched a Joint Industry Campaign on Consumer Awareness, aimed at educating users on smarter data management.
This campaign has been disseminated via radio, television, newspapers, and SMS, providing practical tips for optimising data usage.
Additionally, the Commission has introduced Guidance on Tariff Simplification, requiring operators to present clear and accessible information on data plans and billing.
Maida also highlighted the impact of vandalism and theft of telecom infrastructure, which he said hampers operators’ efforts to deliver quality services.
He commended the Federal Government’s designation of telecom infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure, through a presidential order signed in July 2024.
The EVC described the order as a critical step in addressing the issues of vandalism, tampering, and unauthorised access to telecom assets.
He further outlined the NCC’s plans to empower consumers, including the development of detailed network coverage maps.
These maps, expected to be publicly available soon, will indicate operators’ network strength, service quality, and coverage gaps, enabling consumers to make informed decisions.
He also revealed that the NCC is finalising its Major Incident Reporting Guidelines, which will require operators to notify consumers of incidents affecting their networks.
Source: https://punchng.com/ncc-pledges-support-for-telecom-operators-amid-rising-costs/