A Lagos based activist, Mr Kabir Akingbolu on Thursday urged a Federal High Court Lagos to declare unlawful, the planned increment of data tariff by telecommunication companies.
Apart from the NCC, the telecom firms listed as defendants are MTN, Airtel, Etisalat and Globacom Limited.
The tariff increment, which was allegedly ordered by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), is billed to become effective from Dec. 1.
In a supporting affidavit, the lawyer said that given the unambiguous provision of Section 4 (1) (b) of the NCC Act, the Commission was under obligation to safeguard the interests of consumers against unfair practices.
He averred that due to the indispensable nature of data, it was provided freely in better economies of the world, while in other climes, it was provided at the most subsidised rate imaginable.
He avers that Nigeria was not different from other climes, adding that the increment came at a time the country was going through a tough economic situation.
According to the applicant, if allowed to stand, the increment will not augur well, as life will become more frustrating for subscribers.
He therefore, wants the court to hold that the planned increment was illegal, unlawful and would constitute hardship for the citizenry.
No date has, however been fixed for hearing of the new suit.
However, NCC on Wednesday said it has suspended any further action on the directive to introduce price floor for data segment of the telecommunications sector beginning from Dec. 1.
The Director, Public Affairs, NCC, Mr Tony Ojobo, who this announced in a statement in Lagos, said that the decision to suspend the directive was taken after due consultation with industry stakeholders and the general complaints by consumers across the country.
Ojobo said that the commission had weighed all of these and consequently asked all operators to maintain the status quo until the conclusion of study to determine retail prices for broadband and data services in Nigeria.
(NAN)
