The Nigerian Communicarion Commission (NCC), has reiterated its stand mandating telecoms operators in the country to compensate subscribers for poor services experiences within some locations. Recall that the NCC had recently directed Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to provide compensation to subscribers whose network quality of service experience is below specified targets within specific locations.
The commission’s position is that subscribers should not be made to bear the full burden of service disruptions where operators fail to meet prescribed standards of service delivery. Following the instruction, the commission paid a visit to major telecoms operators in Lagos, demanding improved service quality across networks.
During the visit late last week, NCC stressed that telcos would be accountable for every drop in service quality across all the networks. The commission, however, appealed to telecoms subscribers to exercise patience with the sector, assuring subscribers that all efforts were being made to improve service quality delivery in the country.
Executive Vice Chairman of the commission, Dr. Aminu Maida, who was part of the NCC delegation, led by its Board chairman, Idris Olorunnimbe, gave the assurance, while briefing journalists during the visit. The delegation visited MTN office, Airtel Data Centre, Glo Switching Station, and Open Access Data Centre (WIOCC Group), all located in Lagos, in company of some members of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON).
Appreciating the efforts of the operators thus far, Maida however demanded more strategies in improving telephone service quality in Nigeria. “Telecoms operators will be held more accountable in this dispensation. We need to build more trust in the system. Customers must trust the system. To enhance service quality across networks, there should be more sector investments in order to extend telecoms services to underserved and unserved communities in the country,” Maida said.
At the MTN office and Airtel Data Centre, Maida commended series of investments by operators, but demanded more investments in the sector. “We understand that Nigerians are yearning for better services, and we know that improved service requires strong infrastructure.
While we are not yet where we want to be, what I’ve seen in this visit reassures me that operators are continuing to invest significantly. “I appeal to Nigerians to be a little more patient as these investments mature, so we can effectively address infrastructure deficits and improve service delivery,” Maida added.
Speaking about some burning issues in the telecoms sector, Olorunnimbe decried the continuous poor service quality delivery and data depletion experienced by telecoms operators, calling for increased awareness campaign by the operators
