Our stand on Etisalat debt, worsening QoS – NCC

The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) , Prof Umar Danbatta , has said a number of current issues especially the worsening quality of service in the telecom industry prompted the commission’s latest meeting with telecom operators.

Prof Danbatta who spoke exclusively with Daily Trust in Abuja said the quality of telecom service had degenerated in the country in recent time, and the NCC had resolved to do something about it.

He said: “We called the operators here because we have identified degeneration in the quality of service in the last few months. Before, the consumers were the ones complaining about the quality of service and the complaints were anecdotal. But you know for the first time there is convergence between what the consumers are saying with regards to poor quality of service as well as measurement we have scientifically conducted and which conclusively indicated a worsening quality of service situation.”

He said the commission told the operators in the meeting that the quality of service they were offering was unacceptable.

“We have read a riot act to them, to improve on their capacity and offer good quality service or get the stick”, he said.

Though the operators have their challenges - multiple taxes, vandalism, lack of access to forex - he said NCC would work with them to surmount them to improve on their services.

The NCC boss advised the telcos to reduce their reliance on conventional source of energy and try their hands on renewable energy.

He also the commission was engaging with Nigeria’s Governors Forum to get their commitment on the issue of right of way, multiple taxes and sealing of base stations over charges.

On the Etisalat issue, he said the commission would do all what within its powers to resolve the issue.

He confirmed that there would be a meeting between NCC and the Etisalat top management staff on the issue, expressing optimism of early resolution of the debt issue. said