NCC succumbs to pressure, halts data price increase
LAGOS, (CAJ News) – THE Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has complied with directives by the Senate, and public outcry, to halt the
planned increase in data tariffs.
Tony Ojobo, Director, Public Affairs at NCC, said the decision was also taken after “due consultation” with industry stakeholders and the general
complaints by consumers across the country.
NCC had intended to increase the data price with effect from Thursday.
“The Commission has weighed all of this and consequently asked all operators to maintain the status quo until the conclusion of study to
determine retail prices for broadband and data services in Nigeria,” said Ojobo.
“The NCC as a responsive agency of government takes into consideration the feelings of the consumers and so decided to suspend the new price floor.”
The data price floor in 2014 was N3,11 kobo/megabyte but was removed in 2015. The price floor that was supposed to flag off on Thursday at
N0.90k/MB. Senate and the public decried failure of consultation.
Ojobo nonetheless justified the price.
“The decision to have a price floor was primarily to promote a level playing field for all operators in the industry, encourage small operators
and new entrants.”
– CAJ News
