Amid Rising Costs, NCC Assures Telecom Sector Of Strategic Support

Amid Rising Costs, NCC Assures Telecom Sector Of Strategic Support

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting telecom operators amid rising operational costs impacting the industry. Speaking at the 93rd Telecom Consumer Parliament in Abuja on Thursday, NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida, acknowledged the economic pressures on operators and outlined measures to enhance sector sustainability.

“We cannot overlook the impact of today’s macroeconomic challenges and the rising cost of business, which limits operators’ ability to invest in the sector,” Maida said. “The Commission is actively working with other government branches and stakeholders to address these issues and support industry stability.”

In his keynote, Maida highlighted the telecom sector’s evolution over two decades, driven by a shift from basic voice services to 5G advancements like smart cities and the Internet of Things. He also addressed rising concerns about data usage and billing transparency, prompting NCC to audit billing systems of Mobile Network Operators and Internet Service Providers. Although no major discrepancies were found, Maida noted that consumers still perceive rapid data depletion due to advanced devices using more data and complex tariff structures.

With digital adoption increasing, Maida cited that Nigeria now has 132 million internet connections, and data use has surged by 39% over the past year. He emphasized the need to address consumer concerns over data usage transparency, adding, “Globally, there are over 5 billion internet users, with Nigerians spending above-average time online, illustrating our deep digital integration.”

To assist consumers in managing data effectively, the NCC launched a Joint Industry Campaign on Consumer Awareness, providing practical tips for data optimization through media and SMS channels. Additionally, new Guidance on Tariff Simplification requires operators to present clear information on data plans and billing.

Maida also stressed the impact of vandalism and theft on telecom infrastructure, which disrupts service quality. He commended the Federal Government’s recent designation of telecom assets as Critical National Information Infrastructure, a move aimed at reducing vandalism and unauthorized access.

Finally, the NCC is advancing plans to empower consumers, including publishing network coverage maps that will detail operators’ service quality and coverage gaps. Additionally, the Commission’s Major Incident Reporting Guidelines, set for release soon, will mandate operators to notify consumers of service disruptions.