The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, on March 15, 2017 launched the "Year of Telecom Consumer" campaign programme designed to give concrete expression to the centrality of the consumer in the telecom ecosystem. Deriving life from items 2 and 6 of the NCC Management's 8-point Agenda launched February 27 2016, the declaration of year 2017 as YEAR OF TELECOM CONSUMER is meant to focus on the needs and satisfaction of the Nigerian telecom consumer.
The Quality of Service (QoS) had deteriorated beyond what was permissible particularly the drop call rate which was quite high by the last quarter of 2016. Having received a barrage of complaints from consumers and having undertook studies to confirm what the consumers have said to be factual, the NCC was galvanized to institute processes to check the deterioration.
All speakers at the event - President Buhari, represented by the Minister of Communications; The Vice President, represented by Senator Babafemi Ojudu Special adviser in the presidency;President of Senate, represented by Senator Solomon Olamilaken Adeola; and Speaker House of representatives, represented by Hon. Saheed Fijabi, Chairman House Committee on Telecommunications - commended the Commission for acting speedily in the interest of the consumer,
Practically all MDAs were represented at the event, mostly by their Chief Executives. The Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Garba Danbatta thanked them all for the support and solidarity. He appealed to all stakeholders to amplify the voice of the Commission and to continue to support NCC in its efforts to improve consumer experience.
The key components of the campaigns for the Year of Telecom Consumers include:
Creation of greater awareness on Quality of Service; Facts on Electromagnetic Fields Radiation; Do Not Disturb (DND) Code 2442, which consumers can use to stop unsolicited text messages; and the NCC's toll free line - 622 - through which consumers can reach the Commission in cases where service providers fail to resolve their complaints.