The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has issued a new directive aimed at simplifying and increasing transparency in the tariff plans, bundles, and promotional activities offered by telecommunications operators. The directive, titled “Guidance on the Simplification of Tariffs in the Nigerian Communications Sector,” was issued on July 29, 2024, and mandates Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to provide clear and accurate information about the costs of voice, SMS, and data services to subscribers.
The NCC’s directive requires telecom operators to publish a comprehensive table detailing the features of their tariff plans and bundle offers. This table should include all necessary information for subscribers to make informed decisions, such as the prices of add-ons, how consumers can opt-in or out, terms and conditions for renewal, and rollover policies. The guideline was developed after consultations with industry stakeholders, including MNOs and Consumer Focus Groups, alongside extensive data analysis on consumer preferences and expectations.
The main objectives of the simplification guidelines are to reduce the complexity of tariff plans and bundles, ensure transparency and fairness in promotional elements of tariff plans, protect consumers’ interests by providing clear and understandable tariff information, and promote fair competition among telecom operators by standardizing tariff structures.
Telecom service providers are now required to display all relevant information about their tariffs, including the name of the plan, price, validity period, price-per-second for on-network, off-network, and international calls, expected data speeds, and fair usage policies. According to the directive, operators can maintain existing bonus-led tariff plans until December 31, 2024, during which time they are expected to educate and migrate all subscribers to the simplified tariff plans.
The guidelines further mandate that MNOs communicate tariffs to subscribers in “clear language and a user-friendly format,” with full disclosure of a subscriber’s tariff plan available via USSD codes. Additionally, operators are required to offer stand-alone data bundles at fair prices, avoid bundling consumers with unwanted products, clearly state bonuses in actual value, and eliminate access fees and asymmetric fee structures.
The NCC emphasized that while complying with these guidelines, operators must also meet the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) standards set out in the Quality of Service (QoS) Regulations, ensuring that consumers receive the best possible service.
The directive was signed by Reuben Muoka, the NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, on August 5, 2024. This move is expected to enhance consumer protection and promote transparency in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.
