Minister directs NCC to address data depletion by telcos

The Minister of Communications Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami has directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to address the issue of ‘’illegal’’ depletion of subscribers’ data by telecom operators. A statement yesterday from the media aide to the minister, Yusuf Abubakar, said the minister found it unacceptable that with the prevailing high cost of data […]

The Minister of Communications Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami has directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to address the issue of ‘’illegal’’ depletion of subscribers’ data by telecom operators.

A statement yesterday from the media aide to the minister, Yusuf Abubakar, said the minister found it unacceptable that with the prevailing high cost of data in Nigeria, ‘’the citizens still do not enjoy value for money as subscribers’ battle daily with illegal deduction of data, poor Quality of Service (QoS) among others.

‘’It is on this backdrop that the Honourable Minister directed NCC, the telecom regulators as a matter of urgency to immediately work hand in hand with the telecom operators and ensure they are a downward review of the price of data in Nigeria, improved quality of service provided and also checkmate the illegal deduction of subscribers’ data. ‘’

The statement said the Communications Minister gave the order shortly after being briefed by NCC on the progress made in the implementation of the Short-Term Performance targets set for it to achieve.

It would be recalled that early last month, the Minister directed the commission too bring to an end the issue of sales of pre-registered, unregistered and partially-registered SIM cards; and to stem the tide of illegal deduction of the data of subscribers and work towards the downward review of the cost of data; and to ensure compliance with the maximum 2% Call Drop Rate directive to telecom operators.