The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is set to unveil new tariffs for telecom operators like MTN, Airtel, Glo, and others on December 13, 2024. The move is aimed at simplifying tariff structures for the country’s telecom market.
NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Aminu Maida, announced the new tariff plans on Thursday, November 28, 2024, in Abuja, emphasizing that the release date of December 13 would remain firm, following a delay from the previously scheduled launch on October 27, 2024. The NCC had initially planned to announce the new tariffs in October but had to postpone the release due to ongoing consultations with stakeholders.
According to Maida, the purpose of the new tariff plans is to reduce the complexity of existing pricing structures. The NCC is also directing telecom operators to limit their tariff and promotional offerings to a maximum of seven plans. This initiative aims to simplify the market, improve transparency, and ensure fairness in both consumer pricing and competition among operators.
“The new tariff plan will be announced on December 13, 2024, instead of the original date of October 27, as initially planned. We’ve taken input from stakeholders to shape these changes,” Maida said.
The NCC also revealed that it has been investigating consumer complaints regarding unexplained data depletion and has now mandated telecom companies to work with a reputable audit firm to address the issue. The commission emphasized that data usage can vary across different devices, particularly Android phones, and urged consumers to be more informed about their data consumption.
“To protect consumers’ interests, we are focused on educating the public about data depletion, ensuring they understand how and why their data might be used more quickly,” Maida added.
In addition to the tariff update, the NCC also highlighted its plans for future telecom advancements, particularly the ongoing rollout of 5G technology in Nigeria. The NCC noted that the rapid evolution of telecom networks is now moving toward 6G and even 7G technology, which will bring new opportunities and challenges for telecom risk management.
At the Telecom Industry Risk Management Conference in Lagos, Maida discussed how these technologies would impact the industry’s infrastructure and security, with an emphasis on managing emerging risks related to denser networks and greater device connectivity.
