NCC Proposes 12-Month Grace Period for Unused Airtime Reclaim

Oru Leonard

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has proposed a 12-month grace period for subscribers to reclaim unused airtime from deactivated mobile lines, aiming to strike a balance between consumer rights and the operational needs of the telecom sector.

This proposal was made during a virtual stakeholder forum held in Abuja on Tuesday. 

Represented by Rimini Makama, Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Dr. Aminu Maida, stated that the initiative aims to balance consumer rights with the operational needs of the telecom sector.

He highlighted the industry’s role in driving Nigeria’s economic growth, financial inclusion, and digital transformation, while acknowledging the need to address emerging consumer protection challenges. 

Under its current Quality-of-Service Business Rules 2024, a prepaid line is deemed inactive after six months without revenue-generating activity and may be recycled after an additional six months.

The new proposal permits subscribers to reclaim unused airtime within one year of deactivation, provided they verify ownership. 

Maida emphasized that the framework seeks to resolve debates around refunding unused airtime versus applying a “use it or lose it” policy, ensuring both consumer protection and sector efficiency. 

Key Provisions

• 12-Month Reclaim Window: Subscribers can reclaim unused airtime within one year of deactivation with proof of ownership.
• Mandatory Audits: Operators must conduct audits of unused recharges for transparency.
• Service Alternatives: Unclaimed airtime will be converted into services like voice, data, or value-added offerings, rather than cash refunds.
• 90-Day Compliance Deadline: Operators have 90 days to comply with the new guidelines.
• Consumer Awareness Campaigns: Educational campaigns will be conducted to inform subscribers about the new policy.

Mrs. Chizua Whyte, NCC’s Head of Legal and Regulatory Services, noted that the guidelines align with global practices in regions like the U.S., EU, and India, prioritizing service alternatives over cash reimbursements.

She reiterated the NCC’s commitment to a fair and transparent telecom environment, inviting stakeholder feedback to refine the framework. 

The forum underscored the NCC’s efforts to enhance regulatory clarity while safeguarding subscriber interests in Nigeria’s evolving telecom landscape.

Alignment with Global Practices

The guidelines align with international standards, prioritizing service alternatives over cash reimbursements, similar to practices in the United States, European Union, and India. NCC’s Head of Legal and Regulatory Services, Mrs. Chizua Whyte, reiterated the commission’s commitment to a fair and transparent telecom environment, inviting stakeholder feedback to refine the framework.