Rednaxelot:

he ministerial directive on reduction of data cost has been ignored by telecommunication firms.

It was learnt that the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) has not given the instruction to the operators.

Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, gave the order on October 20 after receiving the progress report on the implementation of Short-Term Performance Targets set for the NCC.

The minister re-issued the directive on November 5, saying he was not satisfied with the explanations of the Commission.

He NCC five days ultimatum to get the operators to reduce the cost of data and stop what he called “illegal deductions from subscribers”.

But 20 days after the ultimatum, the directive has not been implemented, dampenring the morale of telecoms subscribers who had been pushing for lower data cost and telephone end user tariff.

A source in NCC said the minister’s directive had not been complied with because it will amount to breaching the law.

According to the source, there are procedures laid down in the law establishing the NCC, adding that doing anything contrary to that will amount to illegality.

The Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, said the telcos have not received any directive from the NCC.

The NCC source said there are processes and procedures that have to be followed as a matter of law before data cost can be tampered with.

Another source explained that the NCC has no power under Section 108-110 of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 to prescribe retail price.

The source said: “The law does not give the NCC that power. What the law allows the Commission to do is to ensure that tariffs reflect costs of providing services. That is why NCC is mandated to carry out cost-based studies from time to time and as may be deemed fit to fix prices for floors and for ceilings. That way, no operator can under-price to kill its competitors,” the source explained.

Adebayo said the telcos do not make any illegal deduction as being alleged, adding that smartphone users should monitor the applications that run on their devices.

According to him, the smartphones being used by the subscribers were to blame for such deductions.

The ALTON chief said pricing is not a policy matter but strictly determined by market forces, including cost of operation.

Dr. Pantami had said it was disturbing that despite the boom in internet usage, the average price of data in the country was higher than obtainable in most African countries.
https://thenationonlineng.net/telcom-firms-shun-ministers-data-cut-directive/amp/

OlujobaSamuel:
The NCC should remove floor pricing then, set only ceiling, I believe with no service provider can have enough resources to underpriced to beat out others and still remains in business due to subscriber base and population

The source said: “The law does not give the NCC that power. What the law allows the Commission to do is to ensure that tariffs reflect costs of providing services. That is why NCC is mandated to carry out cost-based studies from time to time and as may be deemed fit to fix prices for floors and for ceilings. That way, no operator can under-price to kill its competitors,” the source explained.

GenBuhari:


For me this is a shocking revelation.
So NCC is helping the TelCos to keep prices artificially high by setting minimum prices that TelCos cannot charge less than.

NCC as set up therefore is helping maintain a cartel of the only effectively 4 operators.
Why is no other operators coming in to increase competition? Smells like legal cartel is in operation in this industry.
Shocking!

NCC should be abolished and re-established to be a that looks out for interest of consumers .

OlujobaSamuel:

Yes, you are right.
That is why the minimum call rate is 11k/sec after daily rental charges that increase it to about 12/12.5k.
There was a time airtel was having a SMS package that makes you send SMS at #2/2.5, but since the floor cap, they increase SMS cost to #4 per SMS

GenBuhari:
Cartel is what is happening.
That explains reason no new players are entering the industry to increase competition.
It is now clear the law establishing NCC is corrupt.

NCC should be abolished immediately and replaced when new law to re-establish it is passed.

OlujobaSamuel:

Abolished This is Nigeria oo

ornicus:



when i told all the data communists [see what they have turned an outspoken liberal to] that the man was playing to the gallery , they all cussed me out.
you cannot force a private business entity to drop its rates. competition is what will force that. the only thing you can hook them on is quality of service and maybe issues like selling customer data

nwabuwa:
BREAKING NEWS: *Data price crashes* If you have been buying data bundle with codes prior to this time, take note that data rates has been reset forthwith, so you don’t have to continue using your previous subscription codes to avoid status quo billing.

A big appreciation to our new Communication Minister & Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami for rescuing Nigerians from the hands of the service providers who has been milking Nigerians dry over the years.

4GB is now #1000
2GB is now #500

To check for MTN, dial
*131*65#

Other service providers will follow suit.

Gabbyosun:
Guys mtn just reduced their data cost
Just dial *131*65#
#100: 250 mb for 3 days
#200: 1gb for 1 week
#500: biweekly plan for 2gb
#1000: 4gb for 1 month

NOTE: this not welcome back offer

edoairways:

I was even abused too

edoairways:

Stop spreading lies as it is not true

edoairways:

Stop spreading lies as it is not true

IgbosNIGHTMARE:
Empty hen na thief Glo is useless Airtel is confused Etisalat is lost...

IgbosNIGHTMARE:
Empty hen na thief Glo is useless Airtel is confused Etisalat is lost...

nwabuwa:

Disregard, I tot it was true. I merely dialed but didn't subscribe as my data is yet to run out..