Telecom
NCC Asks GSM Customers to Use 622 Toll-Free-Line for Complaints
Nigerian Communication Commissions (NCC) has urged customers of telecommunication operators to lodge their complaints of unsatisfactory services through its 622 Toll-Free-Line.
Prof. Umar Danbatta, executive vice chairman of the commission, said this at the 95th Edition of Consumers Outreach Programme in Dutse last week.
Danbatta, who was represented by Felicia Onwuegbuchulam, director, Consumers Affairs Bureau of the commission, said that the commission was disturbed with the various complaints from customers.
The complaints include unsolicited text messages and calls, failure/refusal to roll over unused data services at the expiration of data bundled by service providers.
Others are automatic renewal of data services upon expiration and activation, subscription to data and Value Added Services without the consent of subscribers.
He said: “It is in response to these complaints that the commission as a proactive institution has taken appropriate steps to address the issues raised.’’
The NCC boss, said that the commission had issued directive to service providers to desist from forceful subscription of data services and VAS unless they got the consent of the customers.
He said: “It is on this note that we develop 622 Toll-Free-Line for customers to lodges any unresolved complaints to us between them and their providers.’’
He said that failure to comply with the directive by any telecom provider would attract penalties by the commission.
He said: “This is because we believe that a consumer is a king and as such he needs some basic rights and privileges like the right to be heard, right to be educated, right to choose, right to redress as well as right to safety.”
Danbatta said that the Consumers Outreach Forum was an initiative of NCC to bring together telecom consumers in urban areas with network operators and regulators to discuss and offer solutions to consumer’s related issues.
He said: “This is to ensure consumers have value for their money through effective service delivery.’’
Governor Muhammad Badaru of Jigawa, who was represented by his Alhaji Ibrahim Hadejia, deputy, decried of the fluctuating nature of services by network providers.
Hadejia said that people had to climb mountains or go near network masts before they could make calls or send messages.
He urged the telecom providers to provide free network sites or provide some services at subsidised rates for e-learning as obtained in advanced society.
While commending the NCC for the tripartite meeting between consumers, telecomm operators and regulator, he urged telecom operators to build good networks for optimum advantage and utilisation for political, economic and social benefit of the customers.
Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has announced a temporary disruption in SIM-related services across all mobile networks in the country.
The disruption, according to a statement on Wednesday, follows a directive from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), mandating mobile network operators (MNOs) to migrate to a new identity verification platform.
ALTON said the transition had triggered unforeseen technical challenges, affecting services such as SIM registration, replacement, and mobile number portability.
“While the new platform is intended to enhance the integrity and efficiency of identity management in Nigeria, unfortunately, the transition has temporarily impacted service delivery,” the association stated.
It added that MNOs would not be able to support SIM swaps, new activations, and related services until the issues are resolved.
ALTON noted that its members are working closely with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), NIMC, and other stakeholders to restore normalcy.
The association appealed for public understanding and urged subscribers to delay visits to service centers for SIM-related matters.
“We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and will continue to provide timely updates,” the statement read.
ALTON reaffirmed its commitment to delivering secure and quality telecommunications services to Nigerians.
In a significant development for telecommunications subscribers across Nigeria, MTN Nigeria has unveiled an extensive consumer promotion, the “MTN Mega Billion Promo,” poised to create 195 new millionaires within a 12-week (three-month) period. The initiative, which will reward over 5000 Nigerians with cash prizes, is strategically timed to mitigate the effects of recent tariff adjustments and enhance customer loyalty.
The “Mega Billion Promo” represents a substantial investment by the mobile network operator. Beyond the 195 millionaires, the promotion is set to reward a total of 5,460 winners, underscoring MTN’s commitment to delivering tangible value to its broad customer base.
Dr. Karl Toriola, CEO of MTN Nigeria, articulated the company’s rationale behind the initiative. “We are acutely aware of the evolving needs of our customers, particularly amidst the prevailing economic conditions,” Dr. Toriola stated. “The MTN Mega Billion Promo is a direct response, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to their financial empowerment and ensuring they continue to derive substantial value from our services. This is a clear testament to our customer-centric philosophy.”
The prize architecture of the promo includes daily cash rewards, a N5 million JACKPOT prize during weekday draws, and a culminating N10 million JACKPOT prize every Saturday. A notable aspect of the promotion is the exclusive disbursement of all cash prizes through MoMo PSB, MTN’s Payment Service Bank. This mechanism is anticipated to significantly advance financial inclusion efforts across the nation.
Commenting on the strategic importance of this integration, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Nigeria, remarked, “The MTN Mega Billion Promo transcends a mere reward scheme; it is a strategic endeavour to financially empower our customers and foster deeper engagement with our digital financial services, specifically through MoMo PSB. By leveraging MoMo PSB for prize disbursements, we are not only streamlining the process for our winners but also significantly expanding financial accessibility for millions of Nigerians.”
Participation is free and open to all MTN subscribers aged 18 and above. Customers can opt in through the following channels: USSD: Dial *900#; MyMTN App: Use the Mega Billion section to opt in and track entries; SMS: Text ‘MEGA’ to 900; and via Web: Visit https://mtnmegabillion.com and click subscribe.
Once in, every recharge of N100 or more made via bank channels, VTU, myMTN NG, MoMo, USSD, or Logical Pins automatically qualifies the subscriber for daily and weekly draws. Winners will be selected using a random number selector, based on accumulated points from recharge frequency and amount.
Daily excitement draws will be streamed live across Instagram Live, YouTube Live, and Facebook Live, ensuring transparency and daily engagement, and allowing participants to witness the selection process in real time. Winners will be notified through official MTN channels, and public announcements will be made only with their consent.
The MTN Mega Billion Promo delivers on MTN’s brand promise to provide customers with value, excitement and empowerment, especially in a time of economic change.
The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has attributed temporary disruption affecting SIM-related services across all mobile networks in Nigeria to a recent directive from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), mandating our Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) members to transit to a new identity verification platform.
In a statement signed by Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, ALTON, explained that the migration process, which directly impacts real-time identity verification required for SIM registration, SIM replacement, Mobile Number Portability (MNP), and other related services, has introduced unforeseen technical challenges that are currently affecting service availability nationwide.
“While the new platform is intended to enhance the integrity and efficiency of identity management in Nigeria, unfortunately, the transition has temporarily impacted the ability of MNOs to deliver seamless SIM-related services.
“During this period, MNOs will not be able to support, SIM Swap, SIM replacement, activation of new subscribers and other SIM-related services,” the statement noted.
ALTON however, assured that its member companies remain fully committed to regulatory compliance and are working closely with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), NIMC, and other relevant authorities to resolve the integration issues as quickly as possible.
“We understand the inconvenience this may cause to millions of subscribers who depend on these services for communication, business, and daily activities. We sincerely apologize for the disruption and kindly advise subscribers to postpone visits to service centers for SIM related transactions until further notice.
“We will continue to provide timely updates as the situation evolves and remains committed to ensuring the delivery of secure, reliable, and high-quality telecommunications services to all Nigerians,” ALTON stated.
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