NCC Sets 4Naira Price Cap on Local SMS across All Networks
Posted on Friday, January 25th, 2013 at 6:45 AMBy Adeola Adeyemo
With effect from February 5th 2013, the Nigerian Communications Commission has directed that all domestic off-net Short Messaging Service (SMS) must not cost more than N4.00.
The new price cap is a 60 per cent reduction from the former price that was N10 per SMS for off-net and N5 per SMS for on-net text messages.
This directive was contained in a statement issued by the Head of Media and Public Relations, Reuben Muoka, and signed by the Director, Legal and Regulatory Services of NCC, Josephine Amuwa.
As reported by ThisDay, the NCC arrived at the new price cap after due considerations of the submissions made by the operators at various consultative meetings but will not place a price cap yet on International SMS.
“There was a general recognition that the cost of SMS is too high, especially in view of the interconnection rate of N1.02 for SMS as determined by the Commission in 2009. In accordance with the powers conferred on the Commission under Sections 4 and Chapter V11 of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA), 2003, the Commission hereby sets a price cap of N4 for Off-net SMS,”Amuwa said.
Off-net SMS are text messages sent from one network to another network, while on-net SMS are text messages sent by a subscriber to another subscriber on the same network.
The directive has been communicated to the operators since January 3, 2013 and will take effect from February 5, 2013.
So, what do you think about the directive? Is this good news?
Tags: Josephine Amuwa, Nigerian Communications Commission, Reuben Muoka, Short Messaging Service
It is extremely good news. The next thing needing a drastic reduction is the cost of internet data plans.
That is cool!!
Welcoming development in the effort to tame these networks we have.
Morning BN!!!
so the NCC/FG want to start controlling prices, eh? interesting development.
Thats why theyre a regulatory agency. The are to set a cap and its left to the service providers to play within the cap set.
oh sheet. My carpenter can send me more texts in bad english!
When will it be free?….. why do nigerians have to pay for simple text messaging?
Welcome development, hope the NCC would regulate the call rates soon.
jeenager.com
GOOD NEWS!!
Thanks 2 FG,reuben n josphine 4 d new development but I still dnt we hav 2 pay 4 offnet n on net sms,d next tin is callin rate n subcribtion 4 internet hav 2 b crashed down……..
that wonderful. And the next things you should consider about, is the internet rate
awesome development. next stop crashing etisalat call rates! whoop whoop!!!!!!