Telecoms subscribers boost Nigeria’s economy with N12b

NCC seeks better deal from operators
telecommunications subscribers have contributed N11.9 billion to the nation’s economy in the last two years, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

Its Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Umar Danbatta, who made the disclosure at the Lagos leg of the 2017 Year of the Nigerian Telecom Consumer programme, gave the figures as N5.6 billion and N6.3 billion for 2015 and 2016.

In view of this substantial contribution to the industry, the commission sought better treatment of consumers by the service providers.

Danbatta advised those subscribers still agitated by unsolicited messages to activate the Do-Not-Disturb (DND) code, 2442, to address the challenge.

He noted that more than one million consumers had deployed the service within the two months of its launch.

While there are about 240 million connected lines in the country, 154 million are active subscribers.

The NCC chief executive recalled that the commission, on March 15 this year, kicked off the campaign in Abuja to sensitise relevant stakeholders of developments in the sector.

“Sixty days after, I am glad we can report some progress resulting in increase in the activation of the Do-Not-Disturb short code, using the 2442 facility, by more than one million consumers in this short span.

“More subscribers reported their unresolved complaints using NCC’s 622 toll-free lines in the same period.

“NCC consumer conversations are going on simultaneously every month in six zones across the country.

“When the year is ended, the NCC should be able to measure the success and impact of this initiative by the level of awareness created among consumers and the number of consumers that have activated the 2442 facility.”

According to Danbatta, this year has been dedicated to the consumer in line with management’s decision to maximise activities geared at ensuring that he/she maximally experiences satisfaction.

He assured the citizenry that from this year onward, the consumer remains NCC’s focus, as it intends to guide him/her in making informed decisions.

Danbatta continued: “Today’s event emphasizes the position of Lagos State as the telecommunications hub of Nigeria.

“The Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in its first quarter telecommunications sector report for 2016 placed Lagos voice subscriber base at 19.04 million or 12.8 per cent of the country’s subscribers and 12.62 million Internet subscription or 13.65 per cent.

“The state is home to many of the key players in the telecommunications sector, so it is understandable why it has been selected as the kick-off city after the major event in Abuja on March 15, 2017.”