NCC Engages Stakeholders On Curbing Data Loss

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), according to its Executive Vice-Chairman (EVC) Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, has consulted with several parties about ways to slow down the country's data consumption.

Danbatta spoke during the 91st Telecom Consumer Parliament (TCP), which was held in Abuja on Thursday, through Muhammad Babajika, Director, Licensing and Authorization.

The goal of the programme, "Data Depletion: Discussions on Different Views," was to comprehend the diverse viewpoints on the pressing problem, pinpoint potential reasons, and generate ideas for the future.

Data depletion, according to him, is one of the most common grievances voiced by telecom users in the nation.

According to Danbatta, the majority of complaints are a result of consumers' recent switch to 4G/LTE technology.

The EVC stated that the 90th Edition of the TCP, which was held in Lagos on June 23, 2022, featured a lot of discussion about potential and difficulties associated with 5th Generation technology.

Danbatta claimed that the 90th event had strengthened the commission's capacity to handle device type approval due to the rollout of 5G.

As a result of data usage or consumption, he claimed, consumers have been losing data, and they have been reporting this to the NCC on a regular basis.

According to Danbatta, the COVID-19 shut down had a negative impact on the country and forced a rise in the usage of data-enabled gadgets for social, professional, and educational communication.

The EVC said: “This deliberation could therefore not have come at a more auspicious time, as Nigeria moves with the rest of the world towards 5G technology.

“This followed the issuance of 3.5GHz spectrum licenses to MTN Nigeria Communications Limited, MAFAB Communications Limited and Airtel Networks Limited.

“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 today to dialogue on the theme.”

The programme will feature presentations on data depletion issues from the views of the Regulator, Industry, and Consumer Advocacy Organizations.

“As much as 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.

“Events such as this Parliament to genuinely exchange ideas on how to reduce the challenges militating against effective service provision to the barest minimum,” he said.

The revamped TCP, according to Ayanbanji Ojo, Chief of Consumer Affairs Bureau, NCC, had deepened the engagements for the benefit of telecom users.

"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 interest and ultimately promoting a healthy telecom industry for all.”