As part of activities to mark the 2023 World Consumer Rights Day, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) met with telecommunications companies and other relevant stakeholders to wrestle to the ground, the problem of abnormal data depletion, bedeviling the Nigerian data users.
The session, according to Umar Garba Danbatta, Vice Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, was essential for discussing data depletion, which has emerged as one of the most common complaints from telecom users following their recent transition to 4G/LTE technology.
Danbatta stated that it was critical to address the problem, particularly as the nation progresses toward 5G technology alongside the rest of the world.
The EVC, who was represented by, NCC Director, Licensing and Authorisation, Muhammed Babajika, spoke at the 91st edition of the Telecom Consumer Parliament (TCP), with the theme “Data Depletion: Discussions on Various Perspectives” organised by the Commission in Abuja
He said: “In line with our mandate to protect, inform and educate the telecom consumers, this event is one of our high-level dialogue forums held twice a year to exchange ideas on salient issues affecting the consumers of telecom services in the country.
“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 through our various complaints channels.
“The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic was the catalyst for the global explosion of new technologies which opened up an array of services, dynamic business models and new opportunities and markets globally. The Nigerian telecom industry was not left out, going by the documented upsurge in the use of computers, smartphones, smartwatches, and other technology-dependent devices which have given consumers access to multi-functional comfort and utility. Technology has eased interaction for a majority of the populace using social and instant messaging applications. No doubt, the underlying technology for these services is the internet, which drives connectivity. It is within the context of the subscription and usage of the internet that consumers are experiencing what they refer to as abnormal depletion of their data, which gives rise to the reason we are here today.
“Mobile Network Operators all over the world have had to face challenges occasioned by emerging technologies. Particularly during the pandemic, employees and students alike were forced to operate from home during the lockdown, .which stretched the existing infrastructure to its limits.
“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.
“The interests of the telecom consumer are of paramount importance to us and as the telecom regulator, we have the responsibility of ensuring that the consumer’s voice is heard and that the relevant authorities address their complaints.
“It is against this backdrop that the Commission invited the key industry players today to dialogue on the theme to understand the various perspectives on this prevalent issue, identify the possible causes, and brainstorm on the way forward.
Every year 15th March is celebrated as the World Consumer Rights Day.
World Consumer Rights Day was inspired by President John F Kennedy, who sent a special message to the US Congress on 15th March 1962, in which he formally addressed the issue of consumer rights. He was the first world leader to do so. The consumer movement first marked that date in 1983 and now uses the day every year to mobilise action on important issues and campaigns.
