The National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS) has frowned against the moves by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to extend the grace period of unused data roll over to 14 days.
Following several complaints by subscribers in recent times the NCC decided to offer protection for unused but NATCOMS says the 14 extension period isn’t enough calling for an extension of unused data roll over to 30 days.
The President of NATCOMS, Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, disclosed this to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
The NATCOMS boss admits the that the idea of extending rollover unused for 14 days as a welcomed development, however argued that it was not enough considering the present economic situation as subscribers were not getting value for their money with regard to data usage.
“NCC should give at least 30 days grace instead of 14 days, because of the recent economic situation.
“One may also have pressing needs or competing demands in the family and may not have money to subscribe within the 14 days period.
“The grace period for voice recharge is 90 days, hence, data subscription should not be different,” the NATCOMS president said.
It could be recalled that the NCC had issued ultimatum to mobile operators regarding the issue of no rolling over unused data for 14 days.
The Executive Vice-Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, had opined that subscribers would be given the 14 days grace, even if they do not renew on the date of data expiration.
The NCC boss said this would stop the present practice where subscribers would lose the entire unused data, if they failed to renew on the date of expiration of the present subscription.
According to him, NCC recognizes that telecommunications services are very important to the country’s development.
“NCC also recognizes more importantly, that the consumers of telecommunications services deserve to get value for their money.
“NCC also recognizes that consumer should be treated as a very important stakeholder in the scheme of things, as far as service delivery is concern.
“Let me recall that in the eight point’s agenda of my administration, the issue of empowerment and protection of consumers occupied the sixth position.
“The vision in this agenda is to protect consumers from unfair practices through availability of information and education to make informed choices in the use of ICT services,” he said.
