Nigerians cry out as telecoms operators threaten bad service

Nigerians are having a hard time trying to survive under the harsh economy, so when the news of a hike in data price hits the drums of their eyes, the people refuse to dance to the rhythm of more deprivation.

The Hike Debate

The recent directive by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to the five big telecoms operators in the country to increase their data tariffs is said to have been posed as to allow small operators and new entrants acquire market share and operate profitably, an official of the commission had disclosed.

However the Trade Union Congress argue that such a move would only be fine, if the nation was not already experiencing a harsh economy that has seen the folding up of many business, and the demise of some Nigerians who cannot bear the intensity of the recession.

Senate wades in

The Nigerian Senate was swift to interfere in the issue, telling the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to stop the planned hike in data tariff.

Senators resolved in plenary on Wednesday, November 30 that the planned increase was totally uncalled for and unfair to Nigerians.

Deputy Senate Leader Ibn N’Allah raised the motion on the increase in data tariffs by the telecommunications over policies of the NCC and all senators condemned it in entirety.

Senator Murray-Bruce, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said he would be on the side of Nigerians to fight against the policy.

He took to social media to carpet the government which he described as insensitive to the sufferings of the people.

He reminded the federal government that leaders of the country live on the sweat of the poor people of the country and that the citizens must not be provoked further.

NCC suspends action

Following all the uproar regarding the increase in price, the NCC announced the suspension of the planned data tariff hike.

The announcement was contained in a press release made available on Wednesday, November 30 just hours after the Nigerian senate ordered NCC to stop the hike which was supposed to take effect on Thursday, December 1.

The statement which was signed by NCC Director pf Public Affairs Tony Ojobo, partly read: “Following the concerns that visited the directive to introduce price floor for data segment of the telecommunications sector beginning from December 1, 2016, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has suspended any further action in that direction."

Senate president Bukola Saraki explained why the upper house of legislature put a stop to the proposed planned hike in data tariff.

In series of tweets on his verified Twitter handle on Wednesday, November 30, Saraki explained that he and the other senators believed that the internet gives the people a voice and should therefore not be tampered with.

Government in denial

Nigeria’s minister of communication, Adebayo Shittu, distanced the federal government from the NCC directive to some telecoms operators in the country to increase their data tariffs from Thursday, December 1, 2016.

The Brief reports that Shittu, speaking on RayPower’s Fact File on Wednesday, November 30, said the government never ordered telecommunication providers to increase the price of data.

The minister noted that he was not involved in the decision process, was not party or privy to it.

He said: “But I want to say that I was not privy to it, I was not a party to it, the government never gave any such instruction and the government as the representative of the people never have done that.”

The minister however dismissed suggestions that the proposed tariff hike had a political undertone.

A new threat to Nigerians

The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) on Thursday told consumers to expect poor data services, a day after the Nigerian Communications Commission was compelled by public backlash to suspend a planned tariff raise.

The chairman of ALTON, Gbenga Adebayo, said in a statement in Lagos that there was need for an upward review of the tariff, so as to offer better data services to subscribers.

Adebayo said the operators fully understood the public sentiments that greeted the announcement of a minimum data tariff being introduced by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

He said the NCC intervened to set the data tariff floor in view of its statutory responsibility to promote healthy competition, by periodically reviewing voice and data tariffs in the industry.

According to him, the commission’s intervention was to ensure the sustainability of the Nigerian telecommunications industry.

He also said the regulatory body had extensive consultation with the industry prior to the finalisation of the data tariff floor.

“Further, the commission has since Wednesday suspended the implementation of its determination on the data tariff floor.

“ALTON notes that it is within the statutory remit of the NCC for it to make decisive interventions to address the data price concerns which had led to data prices falling to unreasonably low levels.

“This is with the effect that telecommunications operators were unable to recover the cost of providing data services and reinvest in capacity expansion to accommodate the increased usage arising from lower tariffs.

“The situation has been compounded by the recent economic challenges characterised by the steep depreciation of the naira.

“It is characterised by the need to resort to the parallel market and foreign exchange scarcity, which have considerably increased the capital and operational cost of providing telecommunications services.

“This has made current data tariffs unsustainable.

“This situation, if left unaddressed, could result in a sustained deterioration in the quality of data services across all networks and the attendant poor quality of experience for users.

“In this regard, our members await the conclusion of NCC’s market study, when the commission will be in a position to determine its requisite intervention,” Mr. Adebayo said.

He said that NCC introduced the minimum price for data services to help ensure cost recovery and drive the continued investment in the telecommunications sector.

The ALTON chairman said it was necessary for the provision of world-class data services for the overall benefit of the Nigerian subscriber and the Nigerian economy.

Nigerians react

With social media becoming a powerful tool for expression, Nigerians have aired their views on various platforms regarding the new threat of poor network services.

Amuku Ford-felix said: "Nigerians are definitely wicked to themselves and the government mind is blind to that. How can a company increase tariff in a poor services they rendered.

DISCO's increased electricity tarrif yet we are worst off, telecom planned to increase tariff without recourse to the bad services they provides, tariff on the importation of food increased yet even the home made food items price geared up. How can someone collect from people what he never provides for them?

That's day light robbery. Let's turn from our wicked ways, God will turned his back on us like Sodom and Gomorrah."

Hassan Abiodun Kabir said:  "Privatization of NEPA would result in quality and stable electricity; about five years after, the electricity supply is worst than before and we are threatened with total collapse of power.

* Deregulation of downstream sector of oil in Nigeria would gives us adequate supply of pms and never would be experienced fuel scarcity again in Nigeria; few years later fuel scarcity is the order of the day, with interval of four to five months every year we must have queues returning to our filling stations across the federation.

*Now they will give us better service if there is increase in data tariff; I'm very sure if they succeed; service will be worst compare to what we are experiencing now. So who is deceiving who? yeye people."

Sunny Agbor said: "The gang up against Nigerians is now showing its face clearly. The conivance with our government of the greedy did not work you want to use threat of poor services to intimidate us.

We need you just as you need us, we have defeated our greedy government and in your case we will not only defeat you we will conquer you."

Dauda Sambo Ikilama What the Telecom coys are doing is arm twisting us to succumb and accept the proposed tariff increase using different means. What am not sure of is whether it is with the connivance of the government or not. I suspect the hand of government is in it since it supported the initial proposal. I don't know why government thinks Nigerians are super humans and can take whatever is thrown at them.

Maxx D Maxx said: "But they keep telling us that Buhari's government has good plans for Nigerians and that in no distance future, Nigerians will begin to notice and enjoy the change. But Mr. President, can't u see that the economy has capsized? When are we going to notice this change, when people are all dead?"

Paul Monye said: "The Mobile Network Operators that most Nigerians go for are not part of this. Most people comment without knowing what they are talking about.

The government through NCC are the ones who want to jack up the price of mobile data subscription in other to save the small operators and make them relevant in the market.

The government are also interested interested in generating more revenue through tax with this. MTN, GLO, Airtel and Etisilat are well and fine. Those other telecom operators are selfish and want to cause panic in the industry. They just cannot compete with heavyweights like MTN and Glo. The easy way out for them is to collude with government and her agencies. The telecom industry has been deregulated. The government should not have a say at price fixing."

George Iloegbulam Ndukwe said: "Poor services like earlier MTN prank of insisting we much finish our purchased credit bills in seven days else no further calls? This type of intimidation is seen in countries who have no regards for consumers protection. Saying it out is enough insult to Nigeria and to Nigerians"

Alonge Emmanuel said: "This is uncalled for. Its a striking issue that has to be resolved amicably. Hiking the price of data plan tariffs and also insisting on poor services after been implemented, its really a big issue that needs to be looked into.

Despite the economic recession being encountered in the country, this could lead to angry protest among the masses and all various telecom services like mtn, airtel and the likes will lose myriads of subscribers causing low source of income.

How many would be able to afford the slated prices of data plan tariff? just minimal amount of persons. I think all hands must be on deck so that this said issue won't be implemented so as to put smile on the faces of telecom subscribers."

Mohammed Garba said: "Are you threatening us?.... Mehn I'm getting sick and tired of the way those at the helm of affairs run this country. Very soon something will happen in this country.

All this rubbish we see and hear daily is piling up. From the rubbish in the National Assembly to the ignorance in the executive and the indiscipline in the judiciary; we are watching.

Note that there are Millions of graduated out there sitting idle watching and hearing all this nonsense. To have millions of educated people, most of whom are youths,sitting idle is very dangerous and a ticking time bomb.

I'm very sure there are millions of us thinking the same thing. When the appointed time comes, it won't be hard attract followers."

Source: Legit.ng