The Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, has called for increased transparency and consumer empowerment in the telecom industry.
Speaking at the 93rd Telecoms Consumer Parliament (TCP), Maida highlighted the need to address concerns over data depletion and billing transparency.
“As data consumption grows, fueled by digital advancements, we must address consumer concerns over data depletion and billing transparency. Despite the rollout of advanced technologies like 5G, many consumers still feel their data depletes faster than expected”, he said.
He attributed this perception to several factors, including the impact of high-resolution devices and the complexity of operator tariffs, noting that the Commission has taken steps to address these issues, such as launching a joint industry campaign on consumer awareness and issuing a guidance on tariff simplification.
“We believe that an informed consumer is a better-equipped consumer. By empowering consumers with the knowledge to optimize their data usage, we can reduce misconceptions about data depletion”, Maida said.
The NCC boss also emphasized the importance of quality of service across the entire telecom value chain. He highlighted the role of tower companies, backhaul providers, and other stakeholders in ensuring high-quality services.
“The Commission has revised its guidelines to include provisions that hold each player in the value chain accountable for quality service. We are also working to address challenges such as vandalism and theft of telecom infrastructure, which can impact service quality”, he stated.
Maida reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to transparency and accountability. He announced that the NCC is finalizing guidelines for major incident reporting and developing coverage maps to provide consumers with information on network quality and availability.
“Our goal is to create a truly consumer-centric telecom industry, where consumers feel valued, informed, empowered, and satisfied with the services they receive. By working together, we can build an ecosystem where every Nigerian enjoys the benefits of world-class telecommunications services”, he explained.
Source: Sun
