According to a statement made available to The Daily Times newspaper by Josephine Amuwa, the Director, Legal and Regulatory Services of the Commission, this had been communicated to the operators since January 3, adding that it would, however, not place a price cap on international SMS.
This was due to operators’ argument that Interconnect rates for International SMS are outside their control as it is terminated through international carrier service providers in various jurisdictions.
``There was a general recognition that the cost of SMS is too high, especially in view of the interconnection rate of N1.02 for SMS as determined by the Commission in 2009.
``In accordance with the powers conferred on the Commission under Sections 4 and Chapter V11 of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA), 2003, the Commission hereby sets a price cap of N4 for Off-net SMS.
The new rate shall be implemented within 30 days from the date of the directive, `` Amuwa said.
