By Perpetua Egesimba

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Tuesday organised Stakeholders ‘Forum on the study for the determination of cost based pricing for retail broadband and data services in Nigeria.

The study which would be targeted to all the stakeholders, including the operators, the internet service providers as well as the consumers of telecommunications services when completed in April, 2018 will lead to the determination of retail broadband price and data price in the country.

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Speaking during the programme at the Digital Bridge Institute in Lagos, the Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of NCC   Prof. Umaru Garba Danbatta explained that the Nigerian Telecommunications industry has recorded significant growth over the years and the impact and benefits that come with the growth cuts across every segment of the Nigerian economy and the lives of its citizenry.

Danbatta said whilst the Commission is happy with the phenomenal growth recorded in the industry, especially in active voice subscriptions, it believe that the next critical phase is to ensure  that  everyone wherever  they  live,  and  whatever  their  circumstances have access to the benefits of broadband, adding that it can only happen with the pervasive deployment of broadband infrastructure and services across the country considering the potential of broadband as a key enabler of national productivity, economic growth and development, social inclusion and cultural enrichment.

“In line with the Commission’s mandate of creating an enabling environment and promoting fair competition in the telecoms industry and in line with the strategic objectives of the National Broadband Plan, it has therefore become imperative to develop a proper pricing structure for broadband in Nigeria. This will not only ensure the affordability and availability of Broadband but also ensure fair competition by checking price discrimination, excessive pricing, predatory pricing, margin squeeze and price fixing amongst other things,” he said.