Business
HIKE IN DATA TARIFF: How NCC, telcos boxed themselves into a corner
With the recent widespread condemnation that trailed the proposed hike in price of data tariff, the service providers and NCC have begun a blame game.
It would be recalled that the service providers had proposed an increase in the price of internet data, which was approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The price increase was to take off Thursday December 1, but for the directive of the Senate to the NCC and telecommunications operators to halt the move.
Subsequent upon this, the NCC in a statement by its Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Tony Ojobo, directed operators to suspend the increase of tariffs on data services available on their networks.
He said the decision was taken after due consultation with industry stakeholders and in view of the general complaints by consumers across the country.
Sources at the commission, however explain that the commission had granted the initial approval to the operators due to certain complaints by the telcos, but without diligent consultations, or carrying the populace along, on the need for the increase.
The source also revealed, the massive condemnation of the directive has triggered ongoing talks with relevant agencies on how to handle the new policy to reduce the outcry generated.
Read also: Senate orders telcos to halt data tariff increase
The GSM operators and other data service providers have reportedly been meeting with officials to initiate a media campaign to let the public understand the reasons behind the jerk in data cost by 200 per cent as from December 1, 2016.
But explaining the reasons for the permission, a spokesman to NCC said: “There is the need to save the operators to remain afloat at this time, and the only way to achieve this is to allow increase to target big time users, particularly corporate organisations.
“We weighed it against the option of allowing the tax payment on voice services, as suggested by the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, but the masses would have been bearing more burden”.
But Tunde Ayorinde, a legal practitioner and coordinator, Telecoms Consumers Association, said the increase in data tariff was aimed at discouraging youths, who are using the internet to get themselves busy since there is no job.
“We are mobilizing to resist the policy, which is anti-people and establishment”, he said.
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Roland Uchendu Pele
December 1, 2016 at 11:40 am
Oh, so it wasn’t NCC that initiated the plan of price hike! These telecos must have somethings up their sleeves. This is just unacceptable!
JOHNSON PETER
December 1, 2016 at 2:10 pm
Multinationals companies are wise and always use all means to get their aims . but NCC is corrupt for parleying with them.
Animashaun Ayodeji
December 1, 2016 at 3:04 pm
This is pure wickedness, on no condition should data tariff should be increased, it’s almost free in other countries.
Margret Dickson
December 1, 2016 at 3:07 pm
Even countries that are not as advanced as Nigeria don’t offer their people expensive data like Nigeria, our leaders are heartless.
Balarabe musa
December 1, 2016 at 3:32 pm
Almost and not free. Data tariff can’t be free as far you are using a GSM. It’s not a must we use Phone, we can go back to letter writings and old means of communications.
Amarachi Okoye
December 2, 2016 at 5:39 am
How i wish GSM we go and let the letter writings comments
seyi jelili
December 1, 2016 at 5:02 pm
Our profound gratitudes go to the Senate for their proactive measures in curtailing the ncc and the useless telecom netwoek s from increasing tariff.
Come to think of this, these telecom networks are dubious. When ncc gave them deadline to register all sim cards , most of them didn’t meet up but immediately ncc directs them to increase tariff , they are good to go , to the extent MTN sent their subscribers messages that they regret informing us that they will increase tariff as directed by ncc. Blantant lies of the century, the useless didn’t regret anything but were happy about it.
Nonso Ezeugo
December 2, 2016 at 5:53 am
In other country nothing like increasement tariff but in nigeria they want to make money every angle