NCC targets faster resolution of consumer complaints

Forum 3 years ago

NCC targets faster resolution of consumer complaints

• Begins implementation of revised service agreements

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has begun the implementation of the revised framework stipulating the processes for resolving consumer complaints arising from service delivery by telecoms operators.

The Service Level Agreements (SLAs) document, which was reviewed last year by NCC, is meant to achieve greater effectiveness in the sector, and to strengthen the protection of telecoms consumers and other stakeholders.

According to the NCC Director of Public Affairs, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, the implementation of the revised framework, tagged: ‘Complaints Categories and Service Level Agreements (CC/SLA),’ would commence immediately.

The framework review, which was done in collaboration with operators and other stakeholders, is to ensure prompt resolution of consumers’ complaints by reviewing the timelines, broadening and streamlining complaint categories, and establishing applicable sanctions on operators do not meet the timelines for resolving such issues for their consumers.

The Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, listed the terms.

“In the reviewed CC/SLA, with respect to the broad category of Quality of Service and Quality of Experience (QoS and QoE) in the data segment, when a telecom subscriber experiences fluctuation in service, such as instability in internet services, the subscriber shall be contacted by the service provider within four hours of reporting the incident, and the disruption shall be restored within 72 hours.

“If the matter is escalated to the Commission, the consumer is expected to receive feedback within two hours, while the Commission ensures the issue is resolved within 48 hours. Additionally, the subscriber shall be offered an apology, and the expiry date of his data bundle shall be extended by the number of days the disruption lasted.

“Under the broad category, ‘Billing,’ complaints connected to any unexplained change in account balance resulting in a drop in balance, due to overcharging subscriber’s account for calls, Short Messaging Services (SMS), and Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), shall be resolved by the operator within 24 hours.

“Should there be a need by the subscriber to escalate the complaint to NCC; the Commission shall ensure the matter is resolved within 12 hours. The subscriber shall be notified of resolution and where applicable, compensated with five per cent of the overcharged amount, which is payable daily to the consumer for every 24 hours of default.”

Similarly, within the framework of QoS/QoE in the voice segment stipulates that when there is call interference or challenge with voice clarity, resulting in the inability of a subscriber to carry out an uninterrupted conversation, the subscriber shall receive a response from the service provider within four hours of reporting the incident and the service provider shall ensure the challenge is resolved within 72 hours.

If escalated to NCC, the Commission shall revert to the subscriber within two hours of receiving the report and ensure that the matter is resolved within 48 hours in line with the Quality of Service (QoS) Regulations, and the subscriber shall be communicated.

“Also, under the new CC/SLAs that have now come into force, in the case of sales promotion and advertisement, when a subscriber does not receive within the stipulated time, bonus or incentives won during promotions, the service provider shall resolve the matter within 12 hours of receiving the complaints, instead of 24 hours as stipulated in the hitherto existing categorisation and agreement. If escalated to NCC, the Commission shall ensure it is resolved within six hours in line with the Guidelines on Advertisement and Promotions. As in all cases, the subscriber shall be communicated on steps taken towards the resolution of complaints.

“Similarly, in the expansive category of call centre/customer care, the NCC agreed with stakeholders that when a subscriber is unable to connect to the call centre or service provider helpline, the matter shall be treated by the service provider within four hours of receiving the report. Where the matter is escalated to the commission, NCC shall ensure that the issue is resolved within two hours of receiving the complaints, and steps taken towards resolution shall be communicated to the subscriber in all circumstances.”

On matters connected to faulty terminals, such as defective devices that stifle a subscriber’s ability to use phones, modems, routers and related devices appropriately, such incidents should be resolved based on terms and conditions for all devices.

Furthermore, matters relating to Base Transceiver Stations (BTS), such as problems arising from installation and location of base stations, masts or towers, shall be resolved by the concerned operator(s) within the 48 hours.

In case the Commission is notified by the affected consumer, the matter shall be referred immediately to its Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Department, which shall ensure resolution of the matter within 48 hours and inform the complainant accordingly.