The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has mandated that telecommunications operators streamline their tariff plans, bundles, and promotional activities. This directive aims to simplify options for consumers, making it easier to understand and choose the best plans suited to their needs. By reducing the complexity of their offerings, the NCC hopes to enhance transparency and improve customer satisfaction across Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.
This initiative seeks to offer subscribers transparent and straightforward details on the pricing of voice calls, SMS, and data services, ensuring they have a clear understanding of the costs involved
On July 29, 2024, the Nigerian Communications Sector saw a pivotal shift as a new directive, “Guidance on the Simplification of Tariffs,” was issued. This mandate requires Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to present a detailed and comprehensive table outlining the features of their tariff plans and bundle offers. The aim is to bring clarity and transparency to consumers, making it easier for them to navigate the various options available.
The table must be comprehensive, providing subscribers with all the essential details to make well-informed decisions. This includes information on available add-ons, their prices, the process for opting in or out, terms and conditions for renewal, and policies on rollover.
The guideline emerged from a series of in-depth consultations with industry leaders, including Mobile Network Operators and Consumer Focus Groups. It is also rooted in a comprehensive analysis of consumer preferences and expectations, ensuring it aligns with the needs and desires of the market.
The simplification guidelines aim to untangle the intricate web of tariff plans and bundles, making them straightforward and easy to understand. By ensuring transparency and fairness in promotional aspects, these guidelines safeguard consumer interests, providing clear and comprehensible tariff information that empowers users to make informed choices. Additionally, the guidelines foster fair competition among licensees by standardizing tariff structures, creating a level playing field for all.
Service providers must clearly present all pertinent details about their tariffs. This includes the plan name, price, validity period, cost per second for on-network, off-network, and international calls, anticipated data speeds, and fair usage policies.
“Operators can maintain existing bonus-led tariff plans till 31st December 2024, within which period operators are expected to educate and migrate all subscribers to the simplified tariff plans,” the directive stated.
New guidelines require mobile network operators (MNOs) to clearly and transparently communicate tariffs to their subscribers. This includes using simple language and a user-friendly format. Additionally, subscribers must be given full details of their tariff plans via Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD).
Telecom operators are now required to provide stand-alone data bundles at reasonable prices, ensuring consumers aren’t forced to purchase unnecessary products. Promotion bonuses must be clearly stated in actual monetary terms. Additionally, access fees and imbalanced fee structures must be abolished. These changes aim to enhance fairness and transparency in the telecom industry.
The NCC stressed that operators must adhere to the guidelines while also achieving the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) established in the Quality of Service (QoS) Regulations
Signed:
Reuben Muoka
Director, Public Affairs
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