NCC, Stakeholders deliberate on the fate of pre-paid balances on inactive lines

By Chioma Obinagwam

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), telecommunications operators, and stakeholders in the industry have convened to deliberate on what should be done to the pre-paid balances in inactive lines.

Confiance News learnt from a statement issued by the Commission.

“However, as the sector evolves, and in line with our commitment to ensuring Quality of Experience for telecom consumers, we must address emerging challenges especially those that may compromise consumer rights. One of such is the fate of prepaid balances when accounts become inactive,” the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NCC, Aminu Maida said.

He noted that it was imperative to strike a balance between safeguarding consumer rights, ensuring effective regulatory oversight, and maintaining industry sustainability.

Maida, who was represented by Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Rimini Makama, added that collective efforts are needed to achieve the objective.

The CEO noted that although the Quality-of-Service Business Rules 2024 stipulates that a prepaid line without a Revenue Generating Event (RGE) for six months must be deactivated, and if inactivity persists for another six months, the line may be recycled, subscribers have the right to reclaim their unused credit within one year, provided they can demonstrate ownership.

Corroborating, the Head, Legal and Regulatory Services, Chizua Whyte, said that the key provisions of the draft requires operators to conduct comprehensive audits of all churned numbers and submit detailed documentation of all unclaimed and unutilized recharges, ensuring transparency and accountability in the process.

“Directing that unclaimed recharges cannot be monetized but must be made available through service options to the affected subscribers, including voice offerings, data plans, and value-added services on the primary network,” she said.