Subscribers Okay NCC Proposal On SMS Charges

Phone subscribers have expressed satisfaction over the recent moves by the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) to force all network operators to charge as low as N4.00 for all Short Message Services  (SMS).

Some subscribers who spoke with our reporter in Port Harcourt during the week, said the development had shown a level of seriousness on the part of the NCC.

One of the subscribers, Geoffery Amadi, said the commission should push network providers the more so that they can cut down on other of their services like calls and internet browsing.

Amadi, who wants the charges for SMS to be pegged at N1.00 only, said that most of the service providers in the country had raked in much money and should be thinking of how to compensate subscribers.

He was of the view that all network related services should be paid for, but not at a very high rate, so as to adequately accommodate low income earners.

Another subscriber, Ibifuro Jack, said the NCC’s action  was timely, adding that they should not fail to sanction any company that refuses to comply with the directives.

Jack, wondered why operators should charge subscribers high in the country, adding that they should try and make subscribers in the country enjoy similar rates with their counterparts around the globe.

Though, she did not slight the activities of service providers in the country, but called for a radical overhaul of the system that will usher in a better service.

On his part, Dr Dan Henachor Eluke, hoped that the NCC’s action will not suffocate the operations of network providers in the country.

Eluke tasked the commission on the need to do their homework to ensure that the action did not end half way, even as he congratulated them for the action.

The Tide gathered that the NCC announced that from February 5, 2013, all SMS charges, both national and international will cost N4.00 only.