During the 2024 Ojude Oba festival at Ijebu Ode, Hon. Prince ‘Sina Bilesanmi, National President of the Association of Telephones, Cable TV & Internet of Nigeria (ATCIS), who is from Gbelegbuwa of Awujale, reported that the company has lost over a million subscribers in Nigeria due to price increases.
ATCIS, the leading Telecom/Pay TV subscriber advocacy body, has repeatedly warned providers to introduce Pay Per View or Pay As You Go models. This situation should serve as a lesson to government agencies and network service providers that consumer advocacy bodies are essential for ensuring value for service quality and maintaining positive working relationships for organizational growth.
Bilesanmi highlighted that after five years of advocacy, including letters, press releases, and calls to company leaders, ATCIS advised its Pay TV subscribers not to renew their subscriptions. This resulted in MultiChoice, the owner of DStv and GOtv, losing 1.2 million subscribers and reverting to old prices following a court order. MultiChoice, which had increased its prices, now charges N29,500 instead of N37,000 for the DStv Premium package, N19,800 instead of N25,000 for Compact+, N12,500 instead of N15,700 for Compact, N7,400 instead of N9,300 for Confam, N4,200 instead of N5,100 for Yanga, and N2,950 instead of N3,600 for Padi.
Despite MultiChoice’s intention to challenge the court’s decision, they have complied with the readjustment.
ATCIS has spent over 832 million naira advocating for consumer rights through donations, loans, and member support.
Their extensive media presence and numerous advocacy programs have significantly impacted consumer protection, leading to successful reforms, including the forced readjustment of MultiChoice’s prices. ATCIS remains committed to empowering and protecting the rights of Telephone, Cable TV, and Internet subscribers across Nigeria.
