By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has directed the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) to initiate a policy of Pay-As-You-Go to all ISPs in order to minimize high level of expioitations by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) for services not rendered.
The House also urged the NCC and relevant agencies to develop a consumer protection framework that includes provisions for automatic compensation or refunds for prolonged service outages or significant deviations from advertised service levels.
This resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance on “THE NEED FOR NIGERIAN COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (NCC) TO INVESTIGATE PRIVATE INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS IN NIGERIA: LEGEND ISP AS CASE STUDY”, by Rep. Leke Abejideon Thursday at plenary.
Rep. Abejide noted that numerous Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have managed to evade accountability for their widespread inefficiency, feeble and inferior service delivery, while consumers are compelled to persistently pay for inadequate services due to the apparent absence of regulations governing their pricing and service provision, thereby enabling them to exploit Nigerians.
He further noted that frequent service outages. slow speeds, and inconsistent connectivity are widespread issues faced daily by consumers, as in this digital age, efficient Internet connection is a necessity, not a luxury.
Abejide expressed concern that consumers sometimes experience service outages for more than an aggregate of two weeks in a single month from some ISPs, with no mechanism for refunding subscnotion fees, thus perpetuating a disregard for consumer rights and leading to exploitation.
The motion reads: “Also concerned that Legend, an ISP operating in Abuja. charges its subscribers a flat monthly prepaid rate despite knowing that its services ore frequently interrupted, for example. this company offers various tariff rates, with the highest being approximately 483.000.00 per month, yet it rarely delivers uninterrupted service for even half of the month.
“Further concerned that Legend ISP deliberately provides reliable internet service only few days preceding monthly billing, deceiving customers into renewing subscriptions under the false impression of satisfactory performance, before immediately reverting to its persistently inadequate service levels presenting an unethical business model of exploitation of consumers that requires accountabiity to regulators”.
The lawmaker expressed worries that regulatory agencies have so far condoned the activities of inefficient ISPs to the detriment of consumers.
“Also worried that the inefficiency of ISPs and thefr exploitative practices have far-reaching consequences on Nigerian society. hindering progress and negatively impacting business and economic activities.
“Aware that by addressing the inefficiencies of ISPs and promoting accountability, we can create a fair and inclusive digital landscape that empowers individuals, strengthens the economy, and fosters social progress”, the statement further reads.
The House unanimously adopted the motion and mandated its Committee on Communications to investigate and report back to the House in two weeks for further legislative actions.
