The Nigerian
Communications Commission (NCC) on Tuesday organised Stakeholders
‘Forum on the study for the determination of cost based pricing for
retail broadband and data services in Nigeria.
The study which would be targeted to all
the stakeholders, including the operators, the internet service
providers as well as the consumers of telecommunications services when
completed in April, 2018 will lead to the determination of retail
broadband price and data price in the country.
Speaking during the programme at the Digital Bridge Institute in Lagos, the Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of NCC Prof.
Umaru Garba Danbatta explained that the Nigerian Telecommunications
industry has recorded significant growth over the years and the impact
and benefits that come with the growth cuts across every segment of the
Nigerian economy and the lives of its citizenry.
Danbatta said whilst the Commission is
happy with the phenomenal growth recorded in the industry, especially in
active voice subscriptions, it believe that the next critical phase is
to ensure that everyone wherever they live, and whatever their circumstances
have access to the benefits of broadband, adding that it can only
happen with the pervasive deployment of broadband infrastructure and
services across the country considering the potential of broadband as a
key enabler of national productivity, economic growth and development,
social inclusion and cultural enrichment.
“In line with the Commission’s mandate of
creating an enabling environment and promoting fair competition in the
telecoms industry and in line with the strategic objectives of the
National Broadband Plan, it has therefore become imperative to develop a
proper pricing structure for broadband in Nigeria. This will not only
ensure the affordability and availability of Broadband but also ensure
fair competition by checking price discrimination, excessive pricing,
predatory pricing, margin squeeze and price fixing amongst other
things,” he said.