[Mhiz Rebecca]

The Nigerian Communications Commission has
said the proposed hike in data tariff by
telecommunication companies is meant to protect
the interest of the subscribers and prevent
monopoly.
The Deputy Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau of
the NCC, Mr. Ismail Adedigba, said this in Osogbo
on the sidelines of the 81st consumer outreach
programme held in Osogbo.
He said the agency had not given up on the
proposed data tariff increment, saying the NCC was
working to protect the interest of Nigerians in order
to prevent telecom giants from ripping them off at
the end.
Adedigba explained that some telecoms giants
could charge very low tariff just to prevent new
entrants in the sector, adding that after warding off
competition, they would hike their price
astronomically and subscribers would be at their
mercy.
The NCC boss said, “It is the NCC’s mandate to
regulate activities in the industry, to protect the
interest of subscribers. That is the reason behind
the plan to increase data tariffs.
“If we allow the operators to charge any price,
some can charge very low prices and they will take
all customers to their networks at the expense of
new entrants.
“Nothing is free; once the consumers take the bait
of rushing to the network offering cheaper tariff,
competition will be eliminated. The effect is that
once the big operators know that new entrants
have been frustrated, they will increase their prices
and the consumers will not have any choice
because the new entrants have been crippled.
“At the end of the day, you would have predating
prices and there will be no competition against the
few ones left in the sector. So, we will continue to
enlighten Nigerians.”
The Director, Consumers Affairs of the NCC, Alhaji
Abdulahi Maikano, had earlier in his address said
the agency would not shirk its responsibility of
protecting the interest of subscribers.
Maikano said, “Consumers must be protected and
that is why the commission has developed series of
initiatives with the main goal of empowering
consumers with appropriate information that will
ensure that their rights are not only protected but
their choices provide them with value for money.”
Consumers, who spoke at the meeting decried the
alleged fraudulent activities of the major operators
in the industry, saying they usually set trap for
them to fall into with the aim of defrauding them.
Some also lamented the poor quality of voice calls
and data services of the operators, saying despite
this, they charged and bombarded them with
unsolicited messages.