Get Guardian on Google…For Nigerians whose airtime disappears after a call fails, the Senate wants answers—and possible remedies.
Lawmakers have summoned the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and telecommunications operators, including MTN, Airtel, Globacom and T2, over persistent dropped calls, failed connections and unexplained airtime deductions.
The Senate’s intervention followed complaints from subscribers who say they are charged even when calls do not connect, cut off prematurely or require repeated attempts. Each redial can mean another deduction, adding to the cost for people who depend on their phones for business, work, school and daily communication.
During debate, senators argued that consumers should not pay for services they did not effectively receive. Network disruptions may occur, they said, but the cost of failed service should not automatically fall on subscribers.
The Senate Committee on Communications has been directed to invite the NCC and operators, investigate complaints of charges linked to failed or interrupted calls, and assess the financial losses suffered by subscribers. It is expected to report back within four weeks with recommendations for further regulatory or legislative action.
The Senate President said the inquiry must secure explanations from the regulator, the supervising minister and the operators. If their responses and proposed actions fail to address the complaints, the matter could be referred to a Committee of the Whole.
The investigation will test whether the industry’s current safeguards are enough to protect subscribers—and whether customers can get redress when network failures cost them airtime.
For mobile users, the demand is simple: if a call does not go through, why should their airtime?
