NCC launches consumer assistance desk at Abuja airport

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Wednesday launched a telecom consumer assistance, resolution and enquiries (Telcare) desk in the arrival lounge of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The launching took place during the 2023 World consumer right tagged “Empowering consumers through clean energy transition” held at the NCC’s Communications & Digital Economy Complex, Abuja.

Speaking at the launch on Wednesday, the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NCC, Umar Danbatta, said in addition to the Telcare desk in Abuja, the commission plans to set up similar desks at strategic locations across the country to provide information to telecom users.

Mr Danbatta, represented by Adeleke Adewolu, the executive commissioner (Stakeholder Management), explained that the telcare desk serves as an additional platform to receive and facilitate the resolution of consumer complaints, provide a means through which consumers and citizens can make inquiries on consumer issues and serve as a platform for advocacy on any thematic consumer issue.

He added that the commission’s Consumer Affairs Bureau (CAB) will sensitize telecom consumers about these interventions aimed at making the environment better for all of humanity.

“The CAB will carry this out as part of its Consumer Education mandate, with a significant part of this effort dedicated to providing information that equips the consumer to thrive in a world that has embraced digital finance.

“Through its outreach programmes, which have continued to re-tool to reflect existing realities and trends, the CAB will use its consumer-centric initiatives such as the Telecom Consumer Parliament (TCP), Telecom Consumer Town Hall on Radio (TCTHR), Telecom Consumer Conversations (TCC) as well as social media platforms and Consumer Portal to sensitize consumers on how renewable energy benefits them and their role in achieving industry transition to it in the interest of the environment.

“The CAB will develop and produce various consumer education materials such as Flexi and Roll-up Banners, and Handbills, and update its Consumer Handbook to include the message about renewable energy,” he said.

According to him, all around the world, telecom companies are among the biggest energy users as a result of the stiff industry competition which prompts them to serve their consumers by providing higher-speed networks.

“With the rising utility costs, it is critical for companies to reconsider the sustainability of their operations by lowering the operational impact on the environment. This is more so because it has been found that implementing energy efficiency measures could potentially reduce the operating costs of telcos by up to 20 per cent,” he said.

He noted that some of these energy-efficiency measures include the redesign of the Radio Access Networks (RAN) of Base Stations which were initially built to maximise connectivity.

“More than 75 per cent of the time, the radio base station resources remain unused because of the hardware components activated at all times to transmit system information and synchronisation and reference signals.

“Therefore, to avoid waste heat, some of 5G’s newest RAN is equipped with an energy-saving measure allowing for the automatic switching of components. Some other energy efficiency measures can also include the use of renewable energy sources (hydrogen, wind, solar etc.) to supply the energy needed,” he said.

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He added that the commission is affirming that the theme of this year will form part of the consideration of the Commission’s regulatory mandate.

“We are committed to responsibly using the world’s resources, including protecting the environment by supporting the industry to transition to renewable energy,” he said.