NCC focuses on education of telecom consumers

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has resolved to give 
priority to the education of telecom consumers on their rights.

 

Prof. Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice
Chairman, NCC, said at the ongoing Abuja International Trade Fair in
Abuja that such education would help consumers to make informed choices
in the use of ICT services as well as to protect
their rights and privileges.

 

The Nigerian telecommunication regulator
said that consumers deserved to get value for their money, and be
treated as very important stakeholder in the scheme of things as far as
service delivery is concern.

 

He said NCC was participating in the fair
to promote a major campaign, dedicated to the welfare of the consumer,
which the commission launched on March 15, 2017

 

Speaking on the issue of data rollover,
Danbatta said that the commission has directed all the service providers
to give a 14-day window to the subscribers to enable them roll over
their unused data, even if they do not renew
on the expiration data.

 

“ In other words, this will stop the
current practice where subscriber lose their entire unused data if they
fail to renew on the date of the expiration of the current data

 

“Therefore, we can say that our citizens
have not been left behind with services and innovations that abound in
the ICT industry; it is our promise to keep the nation abreast of
developments in telecommunications industry.

 

 On her part, the Director
Consumer Affairs Bureau, Mrs Felicia Onwuegbuchulam, said the commission
was facilitating deployment of broadband network for economic growth.

 

 Onwuegbuchulam represented
by Mr Ayabamji Ojo, Deputy Director Consumer Affairs Bureau, said that
the deployment of broadband infrastructure would also be a platform for
innovation and job
creation.

“The forum is to educate consumers on the
“Do Not Disturb’’ code 2442 to stop unsolicited text messages, the
commission’s 622 Toll-free line, data roll over, the menace of call
masking among others.

 

Also speaking, Mrs Tonia Shoyele,
Director General Abuja Commerce of Industry, the fair was chosen in line
with the Federal Government’s vision of diversifying the economy and to
stop total dependence on oil.

 

She appreciated the NCC for creating an
enabling environment for competition among operators in the industry as
well as ensuring the provision of qualitative and efficient
telecommunications services throughout the country.