NCC Mandates Telecom Operators to Simplify Tariffs for Greater Transparency

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed telecommunications operators to streamline their tariff plans, bundles, and promotional activities to ensure subscribers receive clear, concise, and accurate information regarding the costs of voice, SMS, and data services.

In a directive titled “Guidance on the Simplification of Tariffs in the Nigerian Communications Sector,” issued on July 29, 2024, the NCC mandates Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to publish a detailed table outlining the features of their tariff plans and bundle offers. This table should include essential details such as add-ons, pricing, opt-in or opt-out procedures, terms and conditions for renewal, and rollover policies, enabling consumers to make informed decisions.

The guidelines emerged from extensive consultations with industry stakeholders, including MNOs and Consumer Focus Groups, and a thorough analysis of consumer preferences. The primary objectives of these guidelines are to reduce the complexity of tariff plans, ensure transparency and fairness in promotional elements, protect consumer interests by providing clear and understandable tariff information, and promote fair competition by standardizing tariff structures.

The NCC has also instructed service providers to display all relevant tariff information, including plan names, prices, validity periods, price-per-second for on-network, off-network, and international calls, expected data speeds, and fair usage policies.

Operators are permitted to maintain existing bonus-led tariff plans until December 31, 2024. During this period, they are expected to educate and transition all subscribers to the simplified tariff plans. Additionally, operators must ensure that all tariffs are communicated to subscribers in clear language and a user-friendly format, with full disclosure of their tariff plans via Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD).

The NCC emphasized that operators must also adhere to the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) standards outlined in the Quality of Service (QoS) Regulations while complying with these new guidelines.

The directive aims to enhance the transparency of telecommunications services in Nigeria, ensuring that consumers are well-informed and can make decisions that best suit their needs.
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