Mobile subscribers across Nigeria have expressed support for the newly adopted end-user billing model for USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) services, emphasizing the importance of service quality in exchange for direct charges. The shift, which now places the cost burden of USSD transactions directly on consumers rather than financial institutions, is being seen as a positive step toward billing transparency and regulatory clarity.
Under the revised framework, implemented by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), users are now charged directly by telecom operators for every USSD session initiated, especially those involving banking services. While many subscribers acknowledge the legitimacy of the fees, they stress that consistent service quality must follow.
Customer feedback points to persistent challenges, including dropped sessions, delayed response times, and repeated debits for incomplete transactions.
Subscribers and advocacy groups alike have called on telecom providers to enhance network reliability and technical efficiency to justify the new cost model.
The NCC maintains that the end-user billing approach fosters accountability and fair competition among service providers. It also enables consumers to make informed usage decisions while reducing conflicts between telcos and banks over service charges.
As the USSD billing system evolves, the spotlight now shifts to how telecom companies respond. With subscribers willing to pay for access, expectations are high for improved performance, transparent deductions, and customer-centric innovation in Nigeria’s fast-growing digital economy.
