Telecommunication subscribers in Anambra, Ebonyi, and Enugu States have criticized the current improve in telecom tariffs accredited by the Federal Authorities, stating that it doesn’t replicate an enchancment in service high quality.
In response to studies by the Information Company of Nigeria (NAN), the subscribers described the event as an “act of injustice” towards the populace.
The Nigerian Communications Fee (NCC) had accredited a 50% improve in telecom service tariffs, impacting cellphone calls, SMS, and knowledge bundles nationwide. Telecom operators justified the adjustment, arguing that sustaining high quality service with out a tariff hike could be troublesome.
Public outcry over tariff hike
Chief Dominic Ibe, a businessman in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, criticized the choice, calling it an “anti-people” coverage.
“The individuals are nonetheless reeling from the pains of gasoline, electrical energy, and different increments and don’t deserve additional infliction of pains,” he stated.
- Bede Onyia, a human rights activist, argued that the federal government ought to have targeted on bettering telecom service high quality somewhat than rising tariffs.
“Subscribers expertise low service provision, inconclusive calls, and excessive prices, amongst different hitches. Service provision is worse with the tariff improve, making the state of affairs extra deplorable,” he stated.
- Monica Okafor, an worker of a service supplier, urged the general public to carry the federal authorities answerable for the hike.
“We’ve got battled to supply companies to subscribers because of the hike, and if we function in any other case, we shall be out of enterprise. We search endurance from subscribers and promise them improved companies within the wake of the rise,” she stated.
Considerations over service high quality
In Enugu State, subscribers expressed frustration over deteriorating service high quality regardless of the elevated prices.
- Collins Otegbulu, a former South-East regional supervisor of a telecom agency, famous that Nigerians had been fighting the tariff hike.
“When petrol costs elevated, many individuals resorted to cellphone calls as an alternative of touring to avoid wasting prices. However now, they discover it troublesome to even make calls resulting from excessive tariffs,” he defined
“The painful half is that telecom companies have worsened. Operators are extra involved in mountaineering tariffs than bettering service supply. The rise impacts each calls and knowledge,” he added.
- A businessman and multi-network subscriber, Okwudili Ewu, stated name drops had worsened throughout all networks.
“Subscribers in Nigeria don’t get worth for his or her cash, which could be very regrettable. Sadly, there isn’t a different, as all of the telecom corporations cost the identical factor,” he stated.
Subscribers flip to options
In Anambra, some subscribers stated the hike had compelled them to hunt cheaper options, reminiscent of knowledge calls by way of WhatsApp and different apps.
- Miss Favour Okereke, a web based vendor, famous that the hike had made direct calls costly.
“Earlier than the increment, N100 name credit score might offer you about 9 minutes or much more, however now, you gained’t rise up to seven minutes. With digitalisation, knowledge is life, and I now spend extra on knowledge than on name credit score,” she stated.
- Okey Chibueze, a cellphone equipment seller, noticed that subscribers had been switching between community suppliers looking for cheaper plans.
“Some subscribers register new strains to fulfill their calls for, believing that sure networks supply cheaper name or knowledge charges. That is the one different we now have,” he stated.
- One other subscriber, Emmanuel Ifeanyi, stated he had acquired a brand new line with decrease name and knowledge charges.
“Subscribers are fighting poor web connectivity and name drops. Generally, calls are unavailable or seem switched off even when the cellphone is on,” he lamented.
Dealing with the value hike
Janet Odo, a civil servant, in contrast the current telecom tariff improve to different rising prices, stating that customers have little selection however to regulate or protest.
“There may be nothing one can do however cope or protest. Individuals now rely extra on WhatsApp calls than common calls. I’ve three strains MTN, Airtel, and Glo however MTN is much better. Glo and Airtel normally have community glitches,” she stated.
She famous that decision drops are frequent on Glo and Airtel, making WhatsApp calls the one dependable different for these with knowledge. Because of this, she solely recharges her MTN line whereas neglecting the others.
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