Subscribers plead with operators for better service, tariff reduction

The National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS) has called on operators to improve the Quality Of Service (QoS) they offered last year and also consider a reduction in their tariff in 2017.

NATCOMS’ president, Mr. Deolu Ogunbanjo, stated this in Lagos, adding that there was a marginal improvement in the QoS rendered by the service providers in 2016.

Ogunbanjo said that though there were hiccups in sending Short Messaging Service (SMS) and data services in 2016, the situation was not as bad as it was in 2015.

“The introduction of the Fourth Generation Long Term Evolution (4G LTE) network is something that has slightly improved the way data services are being done. We, therefore, want continuous improvement on the quality of services operators to offer us.”

He maintained that the mooted nine percent tax on communication service tax should be halted, as it was anti-subscriber.
Ogunbanjo said that telecommunications subscribers do not expect any increase in data tariff in 2017, stressing that “in most countries particularly, recently in Canada, the regulator encouraged operators to reduce tariff, particularly data tariff.

“Young entrepreneurs depend on online transactions for their various engagements, commercially and economically.
“They should look at a downward review of data tariff, so as to encourage our youth, who consist of 47 percent of the population of Nigeria,” he added.