By Joy Baba-Yesufu
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has launched new Tariff Simplification guidelines requiring telecom operators to provide transparent, accessible information on data plans and pricing. The NCC’s goal is to empower consumers to make well-informed decisions regarding their data usage and billing, offering greater clarity on available options and charges.
The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, announced the initiative in Abuja during the 93rd Telecoms Consumer Parliament, with the theme “Optimizing Data Experience: Empowering Consumers through Awareness and Transparency in a Consumer-Centric Telecom Industry.”
Dr. Maida emphasized that in the coming months, operators would present consumers with clear tables detailing their tariff plans, billing rates, and relevant terms and conditions to facilitate easier comparison and selection.
Reflecting the NCC’s commitment to consumer empowerment, he highlighted the changing landscape of digital consumption. “With the advent of 4G and 5G, as well as high-resolution devices, data consumption has naturally increased,” he noted. For example, while a photo on Instagram might have used 100 kilobytes of data five years ago, higher camera resolutions mean a single image now consumes between 2 to 4 megabytes. He further cited that an hour on Instagram can consume around 600 megabytes of data, while streaming on YouTube could use between 3.5 and 5.4 gigabytes per hour.
Dr. Maida explained that this increase in digital activity has also led to higher data costs, as consumers spend more time on smartphones and tablets streaming programs rather than watching traditional television. According to recent studies, global television viewing has fallen by over 8% in the past year, with more time spent on mobile devices and smart TVs.
“To address these issues, the NCC, in collaboration with major telecom operators, launched a Joint Industry Campaign on Consumer Awareness on Smarter Data Usage. This campaign spans various media outlets, including radio, television, and SMS, and aims to educate consumers on effective data management strategies.
While the NCC remains committed to enhancing consumer experience, Dr. Maida acknowledged challenges such as vandalism and theft of telecom assets, which hinder service delivery and increase operational costs for operators.
“Our goal is to create a truly consumer-centric telecom industry where consumers feel valued, informed, and empowered,” Dr. Maida affirmed, reiterating the NCC’s vision to build a responsive and transparent telecom sector.
