The Nigerian Communications Commission has said the proposed data hike was aimed at preventing monopoly and protecting the interest of subscribers.

Deputy Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau of the NCC, Ismail Adedigba said this on the sidelines of the 81st consumer outreach programme held in Osogbo.

He said some telecommunications companies may reduce tariff to scare new entrants into the industry and then increase it later on.

The NCC boss said, “It is the NCC’s mandate to regulate activities in the industry, to protect the interest of subscribers. That is the reason behind the plan to increase data tariffs.

“If we allow the operators to charge any price, some can charge very low prices and they will take all customers to their networks at the expense of new entrants.

“Nothing is free; once the consumers take the bait of rushing to the network offering cheaper tariff, competition will be eliminated. The effect is that once the big operators know that new entrants have been frustrated, they will increase their prices and the consumers will not have any choice because the new entrants have been crippled.

“At the end of the day, you would have predating prices and there will be no competition against the few ones left in the sector. So, we will continue to enlighten Nigerians.”

Azeez