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 thenew 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 ofN4 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?
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