House to Probe DSTV’s Exorbitant Charges, Refusal to Adopt PAYG Package

James Emejo in Abuja

The House of Representatives wednedday mandated its Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics and Values to investigate the exorbitant charges and refusal of Multi-choice Satellite Television Company (DSTV) to adopt “Pay As You Go” package for its subscribers.

It followed a motion by Hon. Abbas Tajudeen (Kaduna, APC) on the need to investigate the exorbitant charges and refusal of the company to introduce more flexible packages especially the “Pay As You Go” package option.

The House noted that it has been the practice for the company to increase the prices of its various packages almost on a yearly basis.

It said: “For instance, in 2013 the monthly subscription increased by 7–10 per cent; in 2014 by 10-15 per cent and in 2015 by 10–22 per cent, and just recently, the company sent a notification of another price increase with effect from May, 2017.”

The lawmakers further expressed frustration that DSTV does not have a “Pay As You Go” plan even when most similar communication companies around the world have the package, a situation which is making its subscription plan to expire at the end of the monthly subscription period, whether or not the subscriber used the services.

It added that the regular increases in the prices of various bouquet and refusal to adopt a PAYG option is against all known and fair business practices all over the world.

The House also expressed concern over the seeming inability of the regulatory agency to exercise its authority in the industry.

It therefore, mandated its Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics and Values to Interface with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the Consumer Protection Council and the MultiChoice to address these concerns and report back to the House in eight weeks for further legislative action.