NCC moves to curb data depletion for network users

The Nigerian Communication Commission on Thursday announced its plans to introduce measures to curb data depletion and ensure that telecom subscribers get value for their money, adding that the issue of data depletion is one of the most prevalent complaints received from telecom consumers.

The Executive Vice Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer, NCC, Prof Umar Danbata said this at the 91st edition of the Telecom Consumer Parliament tagged, Data depletion: discussions on various perspectives held in Abuja.

Danbata said most of the complaints came as a result of the recent customer’s migration to 4G/LTE technology.

The EVC who spoke through the Director, Licensing and Authorisation, Muhammed Babajika, noted that this edition comes on the heels of the 90th edition which was held in Lagos in June last year, where the commission gathered industry players to discuss the theme “5G Technology: Opportunities and Challenges”.

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He, however, said that as a result of the 90th TCP event, the commission has increased its capacity to handle type approval of devices resulting from the introduction of 5G by intensifying its efforts to educate telecom consumers on the benefits of 5G, particularly as regards the higher speed of data.

He noted that consumers have been experiencing depletion of their data either as a result of data usage or consumption, and are constantly informing the commission of their experience, adding that the nation struggled with the effect of the COVID-19 lockdown, which necessitated an upsurge in the use of data-enabled devices for communication whether for school, work, or social interaction.

He said,” This deliberation could therefore not have come at a more auspicious time, as Nigeria moves with the rest of the world towards 5G technology following the issuance of 3.5GHz spectrum licenses to MTN Nigeria Communications Limited, MAFAB Communications Limited and Airtel Networks Limited, It is therefore important that we completely appreciate and understand the issues surrounding data depletion, its usage and consumption in the era of 4G technology before we fully commence 5G usage.

“It is against this backdrop that the commission invited the key industry players today to dialogue on the theme:’ Data Depletion: Discussions on Various Perspectives to understand the various perspectives on this prevalent issue, identify the possible causes, and brainstorm on the way forward.

During this programme, we will listen to representatives of the Regulator, the Industry and the Consumer Advocacy Groups as they present the issue of data depletion as seen from their respective perspectives.

The NCC boss said,” As much as the Commission has an obligation to the telecom consumer, it also has an obligation to the Industry; a symbiotic relationship in which one party cannot survive without the other.

The consumers are the basis for the operator’s business; if their interests are ignored, the operator’s investments would collapse, and there would be no industry for the commission to regulate.

“It is thus expedient that we utilize opportunities presented by the Commission’s high-level outreach events such as this Parliament to genuinely exchange ideas on how to reduce the challenges militating against effective service provision to the barest minimum, he said.