Following the approval of a 50% increase in telecommunications tariffs by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has demanded that the hike be accompanied by visible and measurable improvements in network services.
The Commision described this expectation as non-negotiable, emphasising that consumers, who depend on telecommunication for personal and business needs, deserve tangible benefits in exchange for higher costs.
It said that the demand was necessary to address the prevalent concerns raised by Nigerians including issues like network congestion, dropped calls, inconsistent internet speeds, unusual data depletion, and poor customer service.
The FCCPC, in a statement released on Wednesday, said, “It is non-negotiable that telecom operators must prioritise visible and measurable improvements in network reliability, speed, accessibility, and customer service as part of any tariff adjustment. The rationale for the increase must be reflected in better services for consumers who rely on telecommunications for both personal and business purposes.”
Telecom operators were also urged to clearly communicate the reasons for the tariff adjustments to consumers, ensuring that they are fully informed about the nature of the changes, their benefits, and how they align with efforts to improve service delivery and infrastructure.
The Commission further expects providers to allocate increased revenues responsibly, with an emphasis on infrastructure development and service delivery improvements.
To ensure transparency and accountability, the commission has also called for the establishment of a proper monitoring mechanism to ensure that funds are utilised for the benefit of consumers
The FCCPC vowed to keep a close watch on the impact of the tariff adjustments to guarantee compliance with established regulatory standards, assuring of its continuous partnership with NCC to address consumer concerns that may arise during this transition period and beyond.
Techpoint Africa had earlier in the week reported that Nigerians will soon have to pay more for calls and data as the NCC endorses a 50% hike on all telecom services.
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The increase which was announced on January 20 is expected to take effect in February.