Telecom
Subscribers, Operators @ War over Compensation for Poor QoS
Mixed reactions have greeted the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) ultimatum to telecommunications operators compelling them to articulate compensation plan for their subscriber before the end of January next year.
While the National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS) doubted what might become the outcome of the ultimatum; the Association of Telecommunication Company of Nigeria (ATCON) called for concerted efforts to tackle the challenges that cause poor quality of service (QoS).
The NCC had at its fourth quarter industry consumer advisory forum in Abuja, said that it has set up a committee to look into how consumers would be compensated directly by telcos for loss of air time due to their inefficiencies.
This is perhaps a reaction to the agitation of telecoms subscribers that have never concealed their disgust at the current practice where the telcos are fined and payment made to the coffers of the Federal Government.
Commenting on the ultimatum, Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, president, NATCOMS, doubted if the move would yield any positive result.
He told Nigeria CommunicationsWeek that subscribers are heavily shortchanged adding that, “We are in court and NCC as the regulator has always said that their mandate does not cover ordering the operators to compensate the shortchanged subscribers, except when there is total service disruption or service outage”
“We are still asking for a minimum of N10, 000 worth of compensation for every subscriber. We don’t know whether NCC will prescribe the amount to be paid by operators to subscribers on their networks or if it is the operators that will give us what ever they deem right; until we know that, we cannot say it has become a relief for the subscriber, if not, we will still fight on”. He added.
But, Engineer Lanre Ajayi, president, ATCON called for concerted efforts to tackle the lingering issues of quality of service provisioning.
“My opinion is that efforts should be focused on expanding the infrastructure base of the operators to accommodate more subscribers; because that is one of the ways networks are impacted. I may not give vivid answer on what the impact will be on the operators should NCC insist on the compensation, but I think it is better to tackle the challenges that cause poor quality of service,” Ajayi said.
Elsewhere, the NCC said the number of complaints has come down to about 40,000 from all over the federation per day.
It said through Dr. Okechukwu Itanyi, executive commissioner, Stakeholder Management at NCC, that the commission was working with operators to address infrastructure challenges that result in poor quality of service.
He added that there were enormous challenges in obtaining right of way, erecting base stations, power, vandalism, and robbery of generators and equipment.
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Chinese-founded e-commerce platforms Temu and Shein have announced upcoming price increases for U.S. customers, citing higher operating expenses due to tariffs imposed during former President Donald Trump’s administration.
These tariffs include a 145% import tax on most goods made in China and the elimination of the “de minimis provision,” which previously allowed goods valued under $800 to enter the U.S. duty-free.
The changes, effective May 2, have disrupted the business models of both companies, known for their ultra-low prices and extensive digital marketing campaigns.
Temu and Shein, which specialize in affordable products ranging from clothing to electronics, have urged customers to shop before the price adjustments take effect.
The companies aim to minimize the impact on consumers while adapting to the new trade rules.
These developments come amid concerns from U.S. lawmakers and business groups about the competitive advantage of inexpensive Chinese goods and the potential entry of counterfeit products through the now-canceled exemption.
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For further information and updates, visit the Google Africa Blog or follow @GoogleAfrica on social media.
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