The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has issued a directive to telecommunications operators to simplify their tariff plans, bundles, and promotional activities.
According to the special information directed and signed by the Director, Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Reuben Muoka (arpa, fnipr) made available to TheForesight Media Platform (theforesight.com.ng) in Lagos said this move aims to provide clear, easy-to-understand, and accurate information about the cost of voice, short messaging service (SMS) and data services to see ubscribers.
The directive, titled “Guidance on the Simplification of Tariffs in the Nigerian
Communications Sector,” was issued on July 29, 2024. It mandates Mobile Network
Operators (MNOs) to publish a comprehensive table showing the features of their tariff plans and bundle offers.
The table should contain all necessary information for subscribers to make informed decisions, including details on add-ons, their prices, how consumers can opt-in or out, terms and conditions for renewal, and rollover policies.
The guideline is the outcome of consultations with industry stakeholders, including MNOs and Consumer Focus Groups, and extensive data analysis on consumer preferences and expectations.
The objectives of the simplification guidelines are to reduce the complexity of tariff plans and bundles, ensure transparency and fairness of promotional elements of tariff plans, protect consumers’ interests by providing clear and understandable tariff information so that they make informed decisions, and promote fair competition among licensees by standardising tariff structures.
Service providers are also required to display all relevant information about their
tariffs, such as the name of the plan, price, validity period, price-per-second for on
or off-network and international calls, expected data speeds, and fair usage policies.
“Operators can maintain existing bonus-led tariff plans till 31st December 2024,
within which period operators are expected to educate and migrate all subscribers to
the simplified tariff plans,” the directive stated.
The guidelines further mandate that MNOs must communicate tariffs to subscribers
in “clear language and a user-friendly format,” with full disclosure of a subscriber’s tariff plan via Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD).
Additionally, “operators must offer stand-alone data bundles at fair prices to avoid
tying consumers with products they do not need; bonuses on promotions must be
stated in actual value; access fees and asymmetric fee structures must be eliminated,” among other conditions.
The NCC emphasised that while complying with these guidelines, operators must
also meet the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) standards set out in the Quality
of Service (QoS) Regulations.
About the NCC:
The Nigerian Communications Commission is the independent National Regulatory Authority for the telecommunications industry in Nigeria. The Commission is responsible for creating an enabling environment for competition among operators in the industry as well as ensuring the provision of qualitative and efficient telecommunications services throughout the country.
With a mission to support a market driven communications industry and promote universal access, the NCC’s Vision is focused on engendering a dynamic regulatory environment that ensures universal access to affordable and equitable service and supports the nation’s economic growth.
For further inquiries: Director Public Affairs Department, Nigerian Communications Commission.