To streamline tariff plans, enhance consumer experience, and foster a more robust telecommunications sector, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has implemented a new initiative that limits telecom operators to a maximum of seven tariff plans each. This decision aims to promote transparency, alleviate consumer confusion, and bolster trust in service consumption.
By restricting the number of available tariff plans, the NCC intends to address the complexities arising from the vast array of options and promotional offers. The organization believes that a simplified system will empower consumers to make informed decisions about their telecommunications services.
The NCC’s initiative appears to mirror a similar decision made by India’s Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRAI) in 2004. At that time, TRAI restricted telecom operators to no more than 25 tariff plans, to improve billing transparency.
In announcing its decision, the Indian regulator had said: “The major reason for initiating this consultation process was that the service providers have been offering many tariff plans, and there were reports that this was confusing consumers and affecting their ability to make informed choices.”
NCC officials have expressed concerns over the confusion between promotional and regular tariff plans. They argue that this lack of clarity often makes it difficult for consumers to accurately understand the costs associated with their chosen plans and services. The distinction between promotional and regular rates can be particularly confusing, leading to potential billing discrepancies and consumer dissatisfaction.
“In some cases, operators apply different effective tariffs to bonus accounts, resulting in different tariffs for the main account and bonus account. This information is not communicated to consumers, which may lead to uninformed decisions,” a NCC document noted.
During a recent capacity-building session for journalists held at the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) in Oshodi, Lagos, the NCC further explained its decision to streamline the tariff regime.
The organization cited the existence of as many as 145 data plans and over 27 voice plans offered by some networks, which has led to consumer confusion.
Ikechukwu Adinde, Director of the Consumer Affairs Bureau of the NCC, emphasized that the primary goal of this initiative is to simplify the process of choosing a suitable tariff plan for consumers. By reducing the number of available plans, the NCC aims to enhance transparency and make it easier for customers to select the most appropriate option based on their needs.
