NCC blames migration of active subscribers for fall in internet, teledensity
Nigeria’s telecoms sector regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has blamed the migration of subscribers from 3G to 4G for the falling numbers of active subscribers, internet penetration and teledensity.
The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta, who disclosed this, while fielding questions from reporters in Lagos, said subscribers are also taking advantage of the presence of over the table (OTT) services to save cash.
He explained that subscribers to use WhatsApp to make calls and send instant messages instead of paying through their nose to make voice calls and send text messages under a regime of high tariff.
Danbatta noted that instead of spending to make calls, subscribers pay for data bundle and move on with their lives, stressing that the trend will continue.
The EVC NCC while giving a report on the sector, stated that the sector’s contribution to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) has moved to 9 percent, adding that since the liberalisation of the industry, it has added some N15 trillion to the economy.
He stated further that since his assumption of office as the EVC about 18 months ago, the industry has been adding between N1.43tr and N1.45tr to the economy quarterly.
He admitted that the quality of service offered by the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) has not been impressive, but added that there was a major improvement in the first quarter.
“Indeed, almost one year ago the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) launched an 8-Point Agenda. The agenda, which drives the NCC until 2020 aims, among other things, to: Facilitate Broadband Penetration; Improve Quality of Service; Optimise Usage and Benefits of
Spectrum; Promote ICT Innovation and Investment Opportunities; Facilitate Strategic Collaboration and Partnership; Protect and Empower Consumers; Promote Fair Competition and Inclusive Growth and Ensure Regulatory Excellence and Operational Efficiency.
“Item two, Improve the quality of service and item six are the core drivers of the NCC year of the consumer initiative. Item six of the agenda is Protecting and Empowering Consumers. The goal is to protect consumers from unfair practices through the availability of information and education required to make informed choices in the use of Telecom services. This is being actively pursued by strengthening initiatives, to educate and inform consumers on their use of the services and acting swiftly and consistently whenever necessary in the use of enforcement to protect telecom services, consumers’ rights and privileges.
“The Year of the Consumer will, therefore, focus on two key areas: improving the Quality of Service; Protecting and Educating the Consumer,” he emphasised.
