The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has said the approval given to telecommunications service providers to increase tariff costs by 50 percent must be matched with efficient service delivery.
Henzodaily reported that the federal government, through the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), approved a 50% adjustment in telecommunications tariffs.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Chief Executive of the FCCPC, Mr Tunji Bello, said while the Commission noted the economic pressures faced by telecom operators, including increasing operational costs, consumer interests remain paramount.
“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 rationalizing 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,” it said.
FCCPC stressed that in line with the directive of the NCC to the operators, all tariffs must be 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,” it stated.
The Commission highlighted that issues such as network congestion, dropped calls, inconsistent internet speeds, unusual data depletion, and poor must be addressed immediately.
“It is non-negotiable that telecom operators must prioritize visible and measurable improvements in network reliability, speed, accessibility, and customer service as part of any tariff adjustment.
“The rationale for the increase must be reflected in better services for consumers who rely on telecommunications for both personal and business purposes.
“Operators must also clearly communicate the rationale for the tariff adjustments to consumers. This includes ensuring that consumers are fully informed about the nature of the changes, their benefits, and how they align with efforts to improve service delivery and infrastructure,” it added.