Senate Orders Probe Into Airtime Deductions for Failed Calls

The Senate has opened an inquiry into complaints that Nigerian mobile subscribers lose airtime when calls fail to connect or cut out before conversations are completed.

Its Committee on Communications has four weeks to assess subscribers’ financial losses and report back to the chamber.

The inquiry followed a motion sponsored by Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Tahir Monguno at Wednesday’s plenary.

The committee is expected to seek answers from the Nigerian Communications Commission and examine complaints involving MTN, Airtel, Globacom and T2 Mobile.

TheCable reported that the Senate also directed the committee to engage Communications Minister Bosun Tijani.

The inquiry brings billing into a debate that has often centred on poor network coverage and rising telecom costs.

The committee will examine whether subscribers were charged for calls they could not complete and how much they lost.

Its findings and recommendations will go back to the Senate, where lawmakers can decide what action to take.

The Senate previously examined a separate affordability issue when it opened an inquiry into higher data prices.