The Nigerian Communications Commission
has said the proposed hike in data tariff by telecommunication companies
is meant to protect the interest of the subscribers and prevent
monopoly.
The Deputy Director, Consumer Affairs
Bureau of the NCC, Mr. Ismail Adedigba, said this in Osogbo on the
sidelines of the 81st consumer outreach programme held in Osogbo.
He said the agency had not given up on
the proposed data tariff increment, saying the NCC was working to
protect the interest of Nigerians in order to prevent telecom giants
from ripping them off at the end.
Adedigba explained that some telecoms
giants could charge very low tariff just to prevent new entrants in the
sector, adding that after warding off competition, they would hike their
price astronomically and subscribers would be at their mercy.
The NCC boss said, “It is the NCC’s
mandate to regulate activities in the industry, to protect the interest
of subscribers. That is the reason behind the plan to increase data
tariffs.
“If we allow the operators to charge any
price, some can charge very low prices and they will take all customers
to their networks at the expense of new entrants.
“Nothing is free; once the consumers
take the bait of rushing to the network offering cheaper tariff,
competition will be eliminated. The effect is that once the big
operators know that new entrants have been frustrated, they will
increase their prices and the consumers will not have any choice because
the new entrants have been crippled.
“At the end of the day, you would have
predating prices and there will be no competition against the few ones
left in the sector. So, we will continue to enlighten Nigerians.”
The Director, Consumers Affairs of the
NCC, Alhaji Abdulahi Maikano, had earlier in his address said the agency
would not shirk its responsibility of protecting the interest of
subscribers.
Maikano said, “Consumers must be
protected and that is why the commission has developed series of
initiatives with the main goal of empowering consumers with appropriate
information that will ensure that their rights are not only protected
but their choices provide them with value for money.”
Consumers, who spoke at the meeting
decried the alleged fraudulent activities of the major operators in the
industry, saying they usually set trap for them to fall into with the
aim of defrauding them.
Some also lamented the poor quality of
voice calls and data services of the operators, saying despite this,
they charged and bombarded them with unsolicited messages.
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Its all lies. We are not complaining.leave us alone and the present data tariff without any hike. You people are very wicked and greedy as this plan hike will further impoverish the already poor Nigerians. I repeat stop this your funny care and busybody attitude.
ReplyDelete#Godwillfight4us#
Let's get quality service then u can talk of increase tariff. TY
ReplyDeleteNCC....you people are just thieves.......from what u said does it make sense? tarrif hike will all other telecoms operator to enter market......D thunder wain go kill u all still dey do press up..idiots
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