By Nkechi Eze
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has emphasized that any increase in telecom tariffs must be accompanied by substantial improvements in the quality of service provided by telecommunications operators.
The FCCPC recently cautioned telecommunications operators.
It said that while it acknowledged the economic pressures faced by telecom operators in demanding for the tariff adjustments, they should allow consumer interests to remain paramount in the considerations henceforth.
“The FCCPC acknowledges the intense pressure faced by the NCC over the years to approve tariff increases due to the rising operational costs experienced by telecom operators, which became more pronounced in recent times.
“We commend the NCC for adopting a deliberate and measured approach by rationalising the tariff adjustment and linking it to commensurate improvements in service quality while implementing measures to mitigate the impact on consumers.
“The NCC’s approval of a 50% adjustment, which is lower than the over 100% increase initially proposed by operators, demonstrates a thoughtful effort to balance industry sustainability with consumer protection.
“We are also pleased with the NCC’s directive to operators to ensure that, henceforth, tariffs are clear, straightforward, and free of hidden charges or complexities.
“Operators are now required to disclose all key details upfront, including the cost, validity period, and the specific inclusions of a plan.
“Consumers can also expect a mandatory disclosure table from their service providers, enabling them to make informed decisions without worrying about unexpected charges or surprises.
“Consumers have consistently expressed the desire for measurable improvements in the quality of service before any tariff increases are implemented.
“Issues such as network congestion, dropped calls, inconsistent internet speeds, unusual data depletion, and poor customer service have remained prevalent concerns.,” the FCCPC said.
