NCC Demands Improved Quality Over Telecoms Tariff Hike, Complaints
THECONSCIENCE NG reports that Four months after approving a 50% increase in telecommunications tariffs, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is facing growing public scrutiny over continued poor service delivery from telecom providers.
The tariff hike, which took effect on February 11, 2025, was approved by the NCC in January in response to rising inflation, foreign exchange volatility, and increased operational costs faced by telecom operators. The commission emphasized that the increase was necessary to sustain the industry and maintain network infrastructure.
As part of the approval conditions, the NCC mandated telecom operators to significantly improve their network quality within three months. The Commission also pledged stricter oversight and enforcement, including penalties for non-compliance.
In support of this regulatory push, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has stated that the tariff hike must lead to “significant service improvements.” To reinforce consumer protection, the NCC and FCCPC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to ensure fair competition and eliminate exploitative practices in the telecom sector.
Despite initial resistance from the public and a threatened strike action by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the tariff increase has largely been accepted. However, public sentiment remains tense over the lack of noticeable improvements in service delivery.
Consumers continue to report issues such as frequent call drops, poor data connectivity, and prolonged network downtimes—without compensation or clear explanations from service providers. Industry analysts estimate that Nigerians lose billions of naira daily due to these persistent problems.
Critics argue that while telecom operators cite operational challenges—including rising diesel prices, increased security costs for base stations, and forex instability—these challenges are not unique to the telecom sector and do not justify continued poor service post-tariff increase.
“There’s no empirical evidence that Nigerians are getting full value for the money they pay for calls and data,” said a concerned telecom analyst. “If a customer pays for 1GB of data, do they actually receive 1GB of usable, uninterrupted service?”
Consumer advocates are calling on the NCC, FCCPC, civil society organizations, and the NLC to intensify pressure on telcos for better quality assurance and remediation for service failures. They also demand stronger enforcement of quality standards and mechanisms for redress.
Despite recent operational losses reported by telecom operators, financial records show that major service providers have posted multi-billion-dollar profits in Nigeria over the past two decades—often higher than in other African markets where they operate.
Stakeholders are urging regulatory agencies to ensure that telecom companies are held accountable, now that they have received approval for higher tariffs. The focus, they argue, should shift from price to performance—ensuring that Nigerians receive reliable, high-quality service that justifies the increased costs.
Consumer groups are also encouraging subscribers to demand transparency and exercise their rights through official complaint channels, insisting that value for money must no longer be negotiable.
