The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has approved caller tariff guidelines for telecommunication (telcos) operators to heighten transparency, amended user understanding, and foster just contention among the committee licensees. The committee besides mandated each telcos successful the state to bounds the fig of disposable tariff plans to a maximum of seven......Read The Full Article>>.....Read The Full Article>>
Additionally, the fig of bundles offered per relation has been reduced to 100, with the directive that nary subscriber tin beryllium connected much than 1 tariff program astatine a time.
The NCC defines a tariff program arsenic a structured pricing strategy outlining the charges and conditions nether which telecommunications services are provided to subscribers.
This accusation was disclosed successful a papers posted connected the NCC’s website and signed by the Executive Vice-Chairman of the commission, Aminu Maida, connected Saturday.
The papers work successful part, “The fig of tariff plans offered per relation is constricted to seven, and the fig of bundles offered per relation is constricted to 100.
“There are nary limitations to the fig of add-ons a subscriber tin opt into. However, each relation indispensable person successful spot a mechanics that informs subscribers of the fig of add-ons they person astatine the constituent of purchasing different add-on. Subscribers indispensable beryllium capable to cheque (via USSD string, SMS) the fig of add-ons purchased.”
It is reported that the 2 starring telecommunications companies successful the state are presently providing a greater fig of tariff plans than what is specified successful the directive.
MTN offers 8 tariff plans, Etisalat has seven, Airtel provides 10 plans, and Glo presents its customers with 4 tariff plans.
In the ‘Guidance for the Simplification of Tariffs’ document, the NCC emphasized the value of implicit disclosure of each tariff components and terms, requiring telcos to warrant that each selling and promotional materials are easy understood.
Furthermore, the NCC highlighted operators’ request to absorption connected user acquisition and transparency successful each communications to empower subscribers to marque well-informed decisions.
The committee said, “Develop and taxable elaborate migration plans to modulation subscribers smoothly to caller tariff plans, without nonaccomplishment of work prime oregon benefits.
“All promotional elements indispensable person anterior support from the Commission and should beryllium offered arsenic standalone products with wide presumption and validity periods.
“Submit broad periodical reports detailing each progressive tariff plans, bundles, promotions, and Quality of Service (QoS) metrics.
“The guidance shall instrumentality effect connected 29 July and volition stay valid and binding connected licensees until further reviewed by the commission.”
According to the commission, each promotional elements volition beryllium removed from tariff plans and offered arsenic standalone promotions, “subject to its anterior approval, clip limits, QoS/capacity requirements, and adherence to afloat disclosure requirements.”
The NCC besides announced that operators tin proceed their bonus-led tariff plans until December 3.
During this time, they are expected to pass and modulation each subscribers to the much straightforward tariff plans.
It said, “Operators tin take to support lone 1 bonus-led caller subscriber acquisition plan. However, a caller subscriber tin lone beryllium retained connected specified a program for a constricted play of six months earlier being migrated to a modular tariff program of their choice.
“Where a subscriber fails to migrate aft being prompted successful accordance with the applicable concern rules, the subscriber volition beryllium reverted to the default tariff plan.
“Tariff elements of promotional activities/new acquisition plans referred to supra volition lone beryllium allowed nether the pursuing conditions: bonuses indispensable comply with the commission’s terms level and terms cap.
“In addition, existent depletion rates connected bonuses indispensable not transcend the terms oregon autumn beneath the terms level for dependable services. The bonus allowances (voice/data/SMS) indispensable beryllium stated successful naira presumption and minutes/seconds for voice, GB/MB
of information and fig of SMS.
“Operators indispensable afloat disclose the supra successful their advertizing materials.”
The telecommunications regulator besides said add-on subscriptions indispensable beryllium optional for subscribers.
It reads, “Subscribers should beryllium enabled to acquisition immoderate add-ons of their prime portion remaining connected their existing tariff program and/or bundle.
“A escaped add-on shall beryllium treated arsenic a promotional offering and indispensable beryllium approved by the Commission by the guidelines connected promotional advertisements, 2023.
“Additionally, successful enactment with the Commission’s existing regulatory instruments, work providers indispensable person grounds of informed consent from the subscriber to judge the add-on.”
In the directive issued connected Saturday, the NCC said determination are penalties for non-compliance with the guidance, adding that operators indispensable align their offerings wrong 90 days from the day of issuance.
It added, “Transition plans for existing tariffs indispensable beryllium submitted connected oregon earlier 12 August 2024. The Commission volition reappraisal and respond to submissions wrong 10 moving days.
“Tariff support and modification applications indispensable see broad disclosure forms detailing each aspects of the tariff.
“Non-compliance volition effect successful penalties, including fines, suspension of tariff approvals, oregon different regulatory actions arsenic acceptable retired successful the Act, related regulatory instruments and the subsisting Enforcement Process Regulation.”
The NCC has mandated that operators indispensable pass subscribers of immoderate modifications to their tariff plans, including transitions to caller plans, with a minimum announcement play of 30 days.
The committee emphasized that “notifications should beryllium explicit, detailing the reasons and advantages involved.”
In a related development, operators person refuted assertions regarding the commission’s support for a tariff increase.
A connection received by our analogous from Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators successful Nigeria, stated unequivocally, “Telecommunications companies person not received immoderate authorization for a tariff review.”
Furthermore, inquiries made via calls and substance messages to assorted lines by our analogous confirmed that the rates stay unchanged.
