The Nigerian Communications Commission has instructed all telecommunication companies to conduct thorough audits of their billing systems.
KPMG, a prominent global audit firm, has been engaged to oversee the audit process for one of the major telecom operators in Nigeria, Nairametrics reported. The specific company undergoing audit, however, was not disclosed.
Nigeria’s telecom landscape is dominated by four key players: MTN Nigeria Communications PLC, Airtel Networks Limited (Airtel Africa PLC), Globacom Limited, and 9Mobile (Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services Ltd).
The primary objective of these audits, emphasized the source, is to verify the accuracy and transparency of the billing systems operated by these mobile network operators.
“The billing audit aims to ensure precision in the MNOs’ billing systems,” stated the source.
In addition to the audits, the NCC is organizing a series of Focus Group Discussions nationwide to engage telecom consumers. These sessions are designed to assess consumer understanding of tariffs and to gather recommendations for improving the tariff structure across the country.
The first FGD session was recently held in Abuja, with another scheduled for Lagos in the coming weeks.
As the NCC continues its efforts to enhance billing practices and consumer satisfaction in the telecom sector, the outcomes of these audits and FGDs are expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future pricing and quality of telecommunication services in Nigeria.
The NCC recently announced its commitment to achieving a 50% improvement in service quality within the telecom industry by the end of this year. This initiative is part of broader targets set under the Strategic Agenda 2023 by the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani.
These targets include increasing broadband penetration, improving data speeds in urban and rural areas, and expanding coverage to underserved populations by specific deadlines.
Meanwhile, telecom operators have expressed concerns over regulatory constraints preventing them from adjusting prices despite economic pressures. The industry associations have highlighted the telecom sector as the only one not to have revised prices in over a decade, citing inflation and other economic factors as reasons warranting price adjustments. The NCC, which regulates telecom prices, is currently conducting a cost-based study to evaluate proposals for price increments from operators.
As these developments unfold, stakeholders anticipate significant changes in the telecom sector aimed at enhancing service quality and regulatory compliance.
