*The Nigerian Communications Commission says the ongoing forensic audit will enable it to unravel why telecom consumers are experiencing data depletion with a possibility of compensating them for wrong deductions probably arising from SMS

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

In reemphasising Commission’s commitment to consumer protection as a key focus area of its regulatory activities, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has stated it intervened in the cases of data depletion and wrong deductions of credit of consumers.

Prof. Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice-Chairman (EVC) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NCC, who disclosed this in Abuja, FCT, maintains that consumer protection remains a key focus area of the Commission’s regulatory activities in the country.

Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Director of Public Affairs of NCC, in a statement, said the NCC Chief noted the industry regulator’s intervention is through an ongoing forensic audit instituted to ensure maximum protection for consumers in the telecom/ICT ecosystem.

Nigerian mobile Internet data consumers

The NCC has accomplished significant improvements through various initiatives aimed at putting telecom mobile operators on their toes, he said.

Through the ongoing forensic audit, Danbatta stated the Commission plans “to get to the bottom of why consumers are experiencing data depletion and the possibility of compensating them for wrong deductions, which may arise from short message service (SMS).

He said: “We have instituted and we have insisted that despite the fall in data price, that forensic audit must go on and must be concluded and the outcome communicated to the CEOs of telecom companies.”

Danbatta said telecom operators would be made to comply with whatever directions are given after the investigation with a view to ensuring maximum protection for consumers.

The statement also said “he, however, noted that the Commission has developed Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on data depletion, which are designed to inform consumers on activities that may result in faster depletion of their data as well as enlighten them on measures to mitigate such.

“The FAQs are accessible from the Commission’s Web site.

“Over the years, the NCC has given a boost to consumer protection empowerment through sustained awareness creation and education on consumer rights and privileges.

“The Commission has intensified its compliance monitoring exercises with the acquisition of efficient tools and capacities to bring sanity in the industry all in a bid to improve the quality of consumer experience.”