The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has released the “Guidance on the Simplification of Tariffs in the Nigerian Communications Sector (As Amended)“, dated November 2024.
The action was taken pursuant to the powers granted to the telecoms sector regulatory Commission by the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.
The Commission stated that the issuance of the new framework was the outcome of a number of consultations, which the Commission made with operators in the telecoms industry, and other stakeholders in the ecosystem across West African.
The consultations included Mobile Network Opetators and Consumer Focus Groups, which featured extensive data analysis on consumer preferences and expectations.
The NCC, in a recent notice on December 3, 2024, requested all licensees to channel any observations they might have on the implementation of the guideline to the Commission for attention.
It also restated it had issued the document, “Guidance on the Simplification of Tariffs in the Nigerian Communications Sector”, July 29 this year for further stakeholders’ inputs.
It, therefore, directed the MNOs to simplify their tariff plans, bundles, and promotional activities in the country’s telecoms space before implementing the tariff simplification guidance, effective from January 2025.
According to NCC, this step is to ensure transparency and fairness of promotional elements of tariff plans, protect consumers’ interests by providing clear and understandable tariff information.
The Commission stressed the Guidance was designed to empower telecoms consumers to make informed decisions, and promote fair competition among licensees by standardising tariff structures in the country.
