The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has released new guidelines for telecommunications operators regarding tariff plans, bundles, and promotional activities. The directive, issued on July 29, 2024, aims to simplify these offerings and ensure that subscribers have clear, easy-to-understand information about the cost of voice, SMS, and data services.
According to a statement signed by NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Reuben Muoka, the guidelines will help consumers make informed decisions by providing comprehensive details on tariff plans and bundle offers. Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) are required to publish tables that outline the features of their plans, including prices, opt-in and opt-out processes, terms and conditions, renewal policies, and rollover options.
The guidelines result from consultations with industry stakeholders, including MNOs and Consumer Focus Groups, as well as extensive data analysis on consumer preferences. The objectives are to reduce the complexity of tariff plans, ensure transparency and fairness in promotions, protect consumer interests by providing clear tariff information, and promote fair competition among operators by standardizing tariff structures.
Service providers must display relevant information about their tariffs, such as the name of the plan, price, validity period, price-per-second for calls, expected data speeds, and fair usage policies. Existing bonus-led tariff plans can continue until December 31, 2024, by which time operators should educate and migrate subscribers to the simplified plans.
The guidelines also mandate that MNOs communicate tariffs in clear, user-friendly language, with full disclosure available via USSD. Additionally, operators must offer stand-alone data bundles at fair prices, state bonuses in actual value, and eliminate access fees and asymmetric fee structures.
The NCC emphasized that operators must comply with these guidelines while also meeting the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) standards set in the Quality of Service (QoS) regulations.
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