The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed telecommunication companies in Nigeria to conduct a comprehensive audit of their billing systems, addressing industry sustainability concerns.
A source within the Commission, who requested anonymity, disclosed this development to Nairametrics on Monday.
KPMG, a leading global audit firm, has been appointed to conduct the audit for one of the four major telecommunication companies in Nigeria, though the specific company was not revealed.
The Nigerian telecommunications industry is dominated by MTN Nigeria Communications PLC, Airtel Networks Limited (Airtel Africa PLC), Globacom Limited, and 9Mobile (Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services Ltd).
The primary objective of the billing audit is to ensure accuracy and transparency within the billing systems of these mobile network operators (MNOs).
“The billing audit is basically to ascertain that the billing systems of the MNOs are accurate,” the source stated. Alongside the audit, the NCC is organizing a series of Focus Group Discussion (FGD) sessions to engage telecommunication service consumers across the country.
These sessions aim to gather consumer knowledge of tariffs and obtain recommendations for a better tariff system. The first session was recently held in Abuja, with another planned for Lagos.
As the NCC continues its efforts to ensure fair billing practices and improve consumer satisfaction, the results of these audits and focus group discussions will likely shape the nature and cost of telecommunication services in Nigeria.
The Commission is also working towards achieving a 50% improvement in the quality of services (QoS) in the telecommunications industry by the end of this year, as highlighted by Reuben Mouka, NCC’s Director of Public Affairs.
Despite these regulatory efforts, telecommunication operators have indicated that their services are overdue for price increments, having not adjusted prices in the last 11 years, a situation exacerbated by rising inflation and economic challenges.
