Subscribers decry data depletion as Reps probe poor services

Telecom subscribers have raised concerns over high data depletion, saying this is taking a toll on their monthly expenses on data. They said the depletion has weakened their consumption, calling out regulatory bodies to come to their aid. Amidst the cries of subscribers, the House of Representatives yesterday criticised the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) over […]

Telecom subscribers have raised concerns over high data depletion, saying this is taking a toll on their monthly expenses on data.

They said the depletion has weakened their consumption, calling out regulatory bodies to come to their aid.

Amidst the cries of subscribers, the House of Representatives yesterday criticised the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) over what it described as weak regulatory oversight, blaming the agency for persistent poor telecom services across the country.

In an interview with Daily Trust, a subscriber, Sola Adigun expressed dismay over depletion of her monthly N9000 data in the month of April, saying it drained quickly beyond her expectation.

“Last month, I saw that I kept recharging data online and the service was bad because I kept going everywhere looking for a better location.  My data was sapped out and I had to subscribe again. I do N9000 data and 1.5G daily for 30 days because the data was 45GB. My data got finished and I was doing N1000 for 3.5GB,” she said.

A netizen voiced her frustration on ‘X, saying data depletion has strained her finances.

“Our telecommunication companies are extorting us in broad daylight. This morning I called MTN customer care to vent my anger. Last week, I bought data worth N15,000 for over 30 GB to recharge my MiFi, but it did not last up to a few days.

“I only streamed one or two movies before I was notified that my data had finished. On Monday, I recharged with N3500, it finished the next day. I also bought 7GB data again but to my surprise, my data got exhausted before the movie ended.

“I did another data worth N11,500  before I finished two episodes, the data has finished. What is going on in Nigeria? What is happening? Why are we suffering like this,” she said.

An activist, Sowore Omoyele, on his ‘X’ handle lent his voice, saying: “MTN @MTNNG data thievery is no longer a glitch, it’s a system robbery cum extortion. Nigerians are paying more for less every single day. This scam must be put to an end!

“Enough talk. It’s time to pick a date and #OccupyMTN.”

Prince Sina Bilesanmi, President, Association of Telephone and Cable TV and Internet Subscribers of Nigeria (ATCIS) blamed the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) over weak regulatory oversight.

“The truth is that the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) is supposed to regulate based on the Act. They are subject to the fact that the NCC does not want to hear the advocacy body adding value at all. I used to see the problem of subscribers. They don’t want to listen to advocacy groups. They want to do things on their own. They don’t call for stakeholders meetings. 

“They don’t, I don’t know why they are, the government agency who doesn’t need to listen to people down the streets,” he said.

 

…Reps fault NCC over poor telecom services, order probe

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives on Wednesday criticised the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) over what it described as weak regulatory oversight, blaming the agency for persistent poor telecom services across the country.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Ahmadu Jaha (APC, Borno), who represents Chibok/Damboa/Gwoza Federal Constituency.

Leading debate on the motion, Jaha said telecommunications had become central to Nigeria’s economy and daily life but lamented the widening gap between subscriber expectations and actual service delivery.

“Telecommunication has become a vital part of everyday life in Nigeria. It connects families, supports businesses, enhances education, and drives economic growth. However, despite its importance, the quality of service provided by many telecom companies remains unsatisfactory,” he said.

He cited frequent dropped calls, slow internet speeds and failed message delivery as evidence of systemic inefficiencies in the sector.

“The House is concerned that poor network connectivity is a major issue. Subscribers frequently experience dropped calls, slow internet speeds, and difficulty sending messages. This affects both personal communication and business operations, leading to frustration and financial losses,” he added.

Jaha also raised concerns over what he described as a mismatch between the high cost of telecom services and the quality delivered.

“The House notes that the high cost of data and call tariffs does not match the quality of service delivered. Nigerians often pay significant amounts for data bundles that are quickly exhausted due to unstable connections and network interruptions,” he said.

He further decried poor customer service, noting that subscribers often struggle to get timely responses to complaints.

“Many subscribers find it difficult to get timely responses to complaints, and issues are often left unresolved for long periods, thereby affecting emergency communications in dire situations like fire outbreaks, medical situations and vehicular incidents,” he said.

According to him, inadequate infrastructure expansion, especially in rapidly growing urban centres and underserved rural communities, has worsened the situation.

“Network congestion during peak hours and in densely populated areas shows that infrastructure development has not kept pace with the growing number of users. Telecom companies must take urgent steps to improve their services,” he said.

Contributing, Deputy Minority Whip, Hon. George Ozodinobi, accused telecom operators of prioritising profit over service improvement and faulted the NCC for what he termed regulatory complacency.

“It is like these companies have made enough profits in billions and no longer care about improving the network. The NCC, the regulator, has become complacent,” he said.

Following deliberations, the House called on telecom operators to invest in modern infrastructure, expand coverage to rural areas, improve customer service and ensure fair pricing that reflects service quality.

Lawmakers also directed the NCC to enforce stricter quality standards and hold service providers accountable.

The House further resolved to constitute an ad hoc committee to investigate the root causes of poor telecom service delivery and recommend appropriate legislative action.