The Nigerian Communications Commission
(NCC) has released new set of
interconnection rates for voice services.
This can be seen as the desired response of
many Nigerians, in line with complaints
made over the high tariffs charged by these
telecoms operators in the country.
The Director of Public Affairs, Mr Tony
Ojobo told a news conference in Abuja that
the new rates which takes effect from 1st
April and will last for the next three years
and will significantly favour subscribers.
The review, which will start from April 1,
2013, was agreed on after comprehensive
consultations with various stakeholders, the
NCC said in a statement on Thursday.
“The new termination rates, which
significantly reviewed prices downwards, are
informed by the depth of competition in
the industry, while taking into consideration
the position of new entrants and small
operators,” the commission said in the
statement.
According to NCC, the termination rates for
voice services provided by new entrants
and small operators in Nigeria irrespective
of the originating network shall be N6.40
from April 1, 2013; N5.20 from April 1,
2014; and N3.90 from April 1, 2015.
The termination rates for voice services
provided by other operators irrespective of
the originating network shall be N4.90 from
April 1, 2013; N4.40 from April 1, 2014; and
N3.90 from April 1, 2015.
The current rate, which is symmetric to all
operators, is N8.2.
For new entrants and small operators, the
tariff drop will be by 21.95 per cent from
April 1 this year, while for other operators,
the drop will be by 40.2 per cent.
“This determination shall take effect from
April 1, 2013, and remain valid and binding
on licensees for the next three years until
further reviewed by the commission,” the
NCC maintained.
According to the NCC, a new entrant is a
newly licensed operator entering an existing
or new market within zero and three years,
while a small operator, for the purpose of
the determination, is an existing operator
with a market share of zero to 7.5 per cent
in terms of subscriber base.
It will be recalled that the current
interconnection rate regulation was
implemented through the NCC
Interconnection Rate Determination issued
on December 21, 2009. Since then, the
Nigerian communications market has seen
tremendous growth in both, subscriber
numbers as well as traffic volumes and
available technologies.
In June 2012, the commission appointed
Price Water House Coopers (PWC) to
undertake a cost study for voice
interconnection.
In line with its commitment to a policy of
openness, transparency, fairness, and
participatory regulation, the commission
informed stakeholders in July 2012 of its
engagement of PWC to advise on the review
of interconnection rates for mobile and
fixed telephony services.
After series of meetings with operators and
other stakeholders, PWC provided the
commission with recommendations related
to the regulation of voice interconnection.
Posted by Channels Television on March 22,
2013.

source: www.channelstv.com:

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Good news

No wonder mtn have been charging me madly.

Waiting for Next week then

eficciency ...a new experience

Someones should tell us what they are saying in english.

now how about doing same for data? these exorbitant data bundles are the reason peeps will go to any length
to browse free.