Mr Olusola Teniola, the former President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), has advocated the urgent adoption of dynamic billing to safeguard Nigerian telecoms consumers from indiscriminate charges amid rising service costs and economic pressures.
Speaking exclusively on Technology Times Policy eXchange, Mr Teniola, who is also Director of Strategic Business Initiatives at IPNX, reckons that dynamic billing systems can help consumers take back control of their telecoms spendings. He is urging industry regulators and Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to adopt the model as a key consumer protection strategy.
“Users should be informed before making a call or starting a transaction what the expected cost will be,” Mr Teniola is recommending. “They should also get updates as data is being consumed.”
“The industry has to get used to the fact that the customer is king,” he says on Technology Times Policy eXchange. “We’re going through macroeconomic challenges, and though the price hike shores up operator margins in the short term, the long-term impact may erode those gains if consumers reduce usage.”
As Nigeria’s telecoms sector is undergoing massive infrastructure expansion and strategic shifts to next-gen networks, the telecoms expert is stressing that now is the time to align with global consumer protection best practices.
The Nigerian telecoms industry accounted for 169,318,076 active telephony subscriptions; 142,161,409 internet subscriptions; and 98,875,607 broadband subscriptions, as of January 2025, according to NCC’s official data reviewed by Technology Times.
‘Customer is King’: Why dynamic billing is imperative for telecoms services
Mr Teniola is warning that consumer-centric innovations are becoming more critical than ever, noting that the telecoms consumer is king amid the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) approving up to 50% tariff increases for telecoms services in the country.
“The industry has to get used to the fact that the customer is king,” he says on Technology Times Policy eXchange. “We’re going through macroeconomic challenges, and though the price hike shores up operator margins in the short term, the long-term impact may erode those gains if consumers reduce usage.”
He highlights how tariff shocks, inflation and weakened purchasing power are impacting data consumption patterns—raising the risk of churn and growing dissatisfaction.
Quality of Experience under the spotlight
Mr Teniola says that subscribers are increasingly demanding more transparency and accountability, especially around service quality and data usage accuracy.
“There’s no doubt that quality of experience will dominate industry conversations moving forward,” he adds. “Whether it’s streaming, gaming or using online education platforms, users expect seamless services.”
He is also flagging consumer grievances over data depletion, calling for better collaboration between MNOs and the NCC to investigate and address service quality complaints. He is adding that “advisory charges and real-time usage alerts” can significantly reduce billing shocks and build user trust.
‘Infrastructure, power and local content are still bottlenecks’
The former ATCON President also spotlights broader issues stifling telecoms growth, including persistent power challenges and vandalism of telecom infrastructure.
He is also flagging consumer grievances over data depletion, calling for better collaboration between MNOs and the NCC to investigate and address service quality complaints. He is adding that “advisory charges and real-time usage alerts” can significantly reduce billing shocks and build user trust.
He is also noting that although telecoms infrastructure is now officially classified as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI), enforcement of protective laws is lagging. “We need the NCC, security agencies and civil society to work together in multi-stakeholder efforts to protect vital networks,” he recommends.
On local content, the former ATCON President recognises progress in hardware assembly and software services, but insists that Nigeria must go further. “We’re seeing local smartphone manufacturing and solar panel assembly initiatives, but affordability is still a barrier.”
Techcos, not telcos: the future is here
Mr Teniola is predicting a radical shift in the business models of traditional telecoms companies as data replaces voice and emerging technologies reshape the industry.
“Telcos must realise they can’t be dumb pipes anymore. At IPNX, we’re already transforming into a techco—offering services, not just connectivity,” he says.
He is forecasting a future where artificial intelligence, machine learning, and edge computing drive industry growth, and where even global giants like Google and Meta may join the telco fray.
While the infrastructure and tech are improving, Mr Teniola emphasises that policy frameworks and consumer awareness campaigns must evolve too.
“We’ve got to educate consumers, especially around data usage. Many apps today are data-hungry. The Consumer Affairs Department at NCC must play a proactive role,” he says.
In wrapping up, Mr Teniola is giving a nod to Technology Times’ consistent tech journalism since 2004, saying: “Technology Times has done a great job—keep up the investigative journalism.”
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