The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has sorted out data depletion complaints by subscribers saying It is as a result of usage by the subscriber or the generation of technology that the subscriber is using.
The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the NCC, Professor Umar Danbatta made the clarification at the 91st edition of the Telecom Consumer Parliament (TCP), organised by the NCC in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital to engage the industry stakeholders.
The theme of the event was ‘Data Depletion: Discussions on Various Perspectives’
Professor Danbatta, represented by the Director, Licensing and Authorisation, NCC Muhammed Babajika said that data depletion was one of the most prevalent complaints received from telecom consumers in the country.
According to him, “most of the complaints come as a result of the consumer’s recent migration to 4G/LTE technology.”
He noted that consumers have been experiencing depletion of their data either as a result of data usage or consumption, and are constantly informing the NCC of their experience.
“It is therefore important that we completely appreciate and understand the issues surrounding data depletion, its usage and consumption in the era of 4G technology before we fully commence 5G usage.
“It is against this backdrop that the Commission invited the key industry players to dialogue on the theme.”
Professor Danbatta said that “the NCC has an obligation to telecom consumers as well as the industry to ensure the quality of service delivery.”
“The Commission has an obligation to the telecom consumer, it also has an obligation to the Industry; a symbiotic relationship in which one party cannot survive without the other.
“The consumers are the basis for the operators’ business; if their interests are ignored, the operators’ investments would collapse, and there would be no industry for the Commission to regulate. It is thus expedient that we utilise opportunities presented by the Commission’s high-level outreach events,” he added.
Similarly, the Acting Secretary of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, ALTON, Mr Gbolahan Awonuga blamed the abnormal data depletion on technical and non-technical factors, noting that the upgrade from lower to higher networks by subscribers also contribute to higher data usage.
According to Awonuga, sending and receiving emails and downloading and uploading large files, videos and pictures as well as documents contribute to higher data depletion.
He further listed browsing on the internet, use of different social media platforms on regular basis, gaming, allowing background apps to run unchecked as well as watching online videos.
The Head of Consumer Affairs Bureau, NCC, Mr Ayanbanji Ojo said the redesigned TCP has deepened the engagements for the benefit of telecom consumers.
He said; “It is our responsibility to ensure that the consumers voices are heard and that their complaints are addressed by the relevant stakeholders.
“I enjoin you all to make the most of the 91st Telecom Consumer Parliament, which will help to reinforce more efforts aimed at protecting telecom consumer interests and ultimately promoting a healthy telecom industry for all.”
Mercy Chukwudiebere
