The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has said the proposed hike in data price was aimed at protecting the interest of subscribers and preventing monopoly.
Speaking on the sidelines of consumer outreach programme in Osogbo, the Deputy Director of Consumer Affairs Bureau of the commission, Ismail Adedigba, explained that some telecommunication companies may reduce tariff to scare away new entrants into the industry and then increase it later on.
“If we allow the operators to charge any price, some can charge very low prices and they will take all customers to their networks at the expense of new entrants.
“Nothing is free; once the consumers take the bait of rushing to the network offering cheaper tariff, competition will be eliminated. The effect is that once the big operators know that new entrants have been frustrated, they will increase their prices and the consumers will not have any choice because the new entrants have been crippled.
“At the end of the day, you would have predating prices and there will be no competition against the few ones left in the sector. So, we will continue to enlighten Nigerians,” he added.
