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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has instructed telecommunications operators to streamline their tariff plans, bundles, and promotional offers. This directive, announced on Monday by Dr. Reuben Muoka, NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, aims to enhance transparency and ease of understanding for subscribers regarding the costs of voice, Short Messaging Service (SMS), and data services.
Muoka emphasized that the NCC’s mandate requires Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to publish a detailed table outlining the features of their tariff plans and bundle offers. This table should include comprehensive information, such as add-ons, pricing, opt-in and opt-out processes, renewal terms, and rollover policies.
“This initiative follows extensive consultations with industry stakeholders, including MNOs and Consumer Focus Groups, along with a thorough analysis of consumer preferences and expectations,” Muoka stated.
The primary goals of these new guidelines are to simplify complex tariff structures, ensure transparency in promotional offers, and protect consumers by providing clear and comprehensible tariff information. The guidelines are also intended to foster fair competition among operators by standardizing tariff structures.
Operators are required to clearly display all relevant information about their tariff plans, including plan names, prices, validity periods, per-second rates for on-network, off-network, and international calls, expected data speeds, and fair usage policies.
Existing bonus-led tariff plans may continue until December 31, 2024. During this period, operators must educate their subscribers and transition them to the new simplified tariff plans.
Additionally, the NCC mandates that operators offer stand-alone data bundles at fair prices and avoid bundling unnecessary products with their services. Promotions should clearly state the actual value of bonuses, and operators must eliminate access fees and complex fee structures.
Muoka also noted that while implementing these guidelines, operators must continue to meet the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) outlined in the Quality of Service (QoS) Regulations.
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