The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) team was in attendance at the just concluded 83rd Telecom Consumer Parliament (TCP) hosted by Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) at Digital Bridge Institute, Cappa, Oshodi, Lagos on 5th of April, 2018.
The event was attended by stakeholders in the Telecom industry, which include the consumers, NCC, Service providers, Consumer Advocacy Groups, etc.
The theme for the 83rd edition was “VALUE ADDED SERVICES AND ITS BENEFITS TO CONSUMERS”
Telecom Consumer Parliament (TCP) is an interactive platform for Consumers and Service Providers aimed at providing solutions to consumer complaints and concerns. The forum educates and informs stakeholders on rights, benefits and obligations. Though there were complaints about the services of some of the Network Service providers, there were no complaints about the services of NiRA.
An important aspect of the TCP is the Panel discussion session which addresses burning topical Industry issues through vibrant discussions by selected panel members drawn from Service Providers, Regulators, Intellectuals, etc.
The panel of discussants comprising of representatives from MTN, 9Mobile, Airtel, Glo, Ntel, Smile, and other telecom stakeholders were constituted and the panel session was moderated by Bukola Sawyerr. The discussion enlightened the consumers on the benefits of VAS, the challenges, ways to resolve them.
At the end of the session, a 4 point communique was agreed upon by participants
- That the VAS providers should do more in terms of consumer education and enlightenment.
- MTN is to investigate the allegation of a second charge on MTN back up services.
- Service providers are to adhere strictly to the directives on Do-Not-Disturb (DND), so that consumers who opt out of VAS services would no longer receive such messages after opting out and they will no longer be charged.
- Service providers should ensure a second level authentication before a subscriber is opted in to a Value Added Service, through a follow up text message.