The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has proposed a 12-month grace period for telecom subscribers to reclaim unused airtime on deactivated lines. This initiative aims to balance consumer rights with operational realities in the telecommunications sector.
During a virtual stakeholder engagement forum held in Abuja, the NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Aminu Maida, represented by Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Rimini Makama, explained that the proposal addresses emerging challenges that could undermine consumer rights. He stated, “The Quality-of-Service Business Rules 2024 stipulate that a prepaid line without a revenue-generating event for six months must be deactivated. If the inactivity continues for another six months, the line may be recycled.”
Under the new framework, subscribers whose lines have been deactivated would have a one-year window to claim their unused airtime, provided they can verify ownership. This initiative seeks to balance consumer protection with the practicalities of maintaining an efficient telecommunications industry.
The Head of Legal and Regulatory Services at the NCC, Mrs. Chizua Whyte, emphasized that the Draft Guidance on Unutilised and Unclaimed Subscribers’ Recharges is a critical step in fulfilling the commission’s mandate to develop regulatory instruments that foster a vibrant communications market.
