Minister grants NCC’s deadline extension request on crashing data price regime
Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isah Pantami, weekend granted the request of the management of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to extend the earlier given five-day deadline to crash data price regime in Nigeria.
However, efforts to find out the next deadline after the first one expired Friday, November 8, 2019 failed.
Business Hilights gathered that in the request for deadline extension which had already expired over the weekend, NCC said it is working to resolve and implement the Federal Government’s directive on the challenges of illegal data deductions and to review the cost of data downward in the country.
In an interview, Spokesperson to the Minister, Mrs. Uwa Suleiman said “The NCC explained in the letter, that it had issued a directive to all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) on the attendant penalties associated with Automatic Renewal and Forceful Subscription to Data and Value Added Services.
“It listed the penalties as including considerable financial sanctions on the erring operator.”
Suleiman further added that the NCC’s letter stated that, “in response to the directive of the minister, that the Commission reviewed the Nigerian Communications Act of 2003 on its rule-making powers and process.
“The Commission is in the process of carrying out a study on the End-of-Session Notification for Data Services and depending on the outcome, may issue a direction in accordance with the Act.”
NCC also notified Pantami of its regulation of the initial directive to include refunds to the consumer in established cases of unauthorised subscription.
“The commission assured the minister that it has been working assiduously round the clock to enforce the Federal Government’s directives.
“It appealed for an extension of the deadline which expires on Nov. 8, to enable it properly re-strategise and fully implement long term solutions as directed, to the challenges.
“The minister has graciously granted an extension with the understanding that the Commission will resolve the issues within the shortest time possible.
Mrs. Suleiman quoted the Minister as assuring that “This administration is working tirelessly to ensure that subscribers get full value for their money.”
