Amidst tariff hike demand, consumers lament data depletion, poor connectivity

Telecom consumers have decried the rate at which their mobile data gets quickly depleted as well as poor connectivity, accusing the telecommunication companies of secretly increasing the cost of data without prior public notice. Recall that the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola had called on the federal government to increase tariff […]

Telecom consumers have decried the rate at which their mobile data gets quickly depleted as well as poor connectivity, accusing the telecommunication companies of secretly increasing the cost of data without prior public notice.

Recall that the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola had called on the federal government to increase tariff in the sector, saying failure to heed to the demand would result to dire consequences.

Similarly, the Nigeria Communication Commission, (NCC) recently faulted Starlink for unapproved data tariff increase, describing it as a breach of the commission’s law.

NCC said the satellite internet service provider had unilaterally increased its data tariffs without obtaining the necessary approval from the commission.

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But aside Starlink, consumers have expressed concerns over the fast depletion of their data, saying the operators might have increased their tariff without prior notice.

In interviews with Daily Trust, some expressed concern over the depletion of data.

Eyitayo Samuel, an undergraduate at the Lagos State University (LASU), accused network providers of giving false information, saying the data package of N500 which should last for 7 days, no longer last more than a day.

“I use Airtel. If you buy 3gb worth of data for N500, it only lasts for one day. Normally the network operators will say the 3gb is supposed to last for seven days but now I use the 3gb in one day, sometimes it finishes before 24 hours. Sometimes I buy twice in a day,” he said.

Emeka Samson stressed the need for network providers to improve their services, saying that sometimes users experience glitches.

“When it comes to networks, we all know network connection in Nigeria is very bad; it is very, very bad. If I am to rate the network in Nigeria I will give it 60% at most.

“The kind of experience I face is that sometimes the network does not connect,” he said.

He added that the hike in data tariff may be tied to the country’s economic challenges, saying he opted for a low data plan of 8gb from 20gb due to lack of funds.

“As you can see, what can we do? We have no choice. Everything in Nigeria is going up, so follow the system” he said.

‘Network providers charge more than displayed tariff’

The President of the Association of Telephone, Cable, Internet Subscribers of Nigeria (ATCIS), Hon. Sina Bilesanmi, said the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) should wake up to its duty, claiming that network providers charge more than the tariff displayed on the commission’s website.

“The data and the call we are paying for, that is not what is on the NCC website, it has increased without Nigerians knowing.

“Let me use myself as a study case, I’m using yellow, if I call, they are supposed to charge me the old rate, it’s between something like 23-50 kobo but as of today, they charge Nigerians 80 something kobo,” he added

Recently, the NCC issued a directive to telecommunications operators to simplify their tariff plans, bundles and promotional activities.

This move aims to provide clear, easy-to-understand, and accurate information about the cost of voice, short messaging service (SMS) and data services to subscribers.

The directive, titled “Guidance on the Simplification of Tariffs in the Nigerian Communications Sector,” issued on July 29, 2024, came amidst complaints of fast data depletion across the country.

The commission said the table should contain all necessary information for subscribers to make informed decisions, including details on add-ons, their prices, how consumers can opt-in or out, terms and conditions for renewal, and rollover policies.

When contacted, the Chairman, Association of Licensed telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, said there has not been any price review.

He said, “I can confirm to you that there has been no approval to increase prices and there is no operator that has reviewed its rates. It is a journey we have been on.

“We have all informed our regulators and nobody has granted price review and no rate has increased. If it happens the public will know: it will not happen behind closed doors.

“I must say again that with the current regime, our industry is not sustainable. So something has to be done about our tariff. We cannot sustain certain things under the current regime,” he said.