By Florence Onuegbu
The National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS) has urged Multichoice, the Digital Satellite Television (DSTV) operator in Nigeria, to adopt
The President of NATCOMS, Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.
Ogunbanjo said it was unfortunate that Multichoice felt it was not possible to offer the pay-as-you-view service in the country.
”It is unfortunate. The question is ‘Is pay as you view available in South Africa where Multichoice originated?’ That we have to find out before we start to fight.
”So, let us do some research. If we can see any country that the pay-as-you-view billing is currently on, then we will challenge Multichoice to also give us the service.
”Let them find the software that will ensure the pay-as-you-view billing, otherwise we will boycott them,” he said.
Ogunbanjo said that in 2003, MTN had started per second billing in South Africa and yet said it was impossible in Nigeria.
He said that the association filed some cases in court against MTN Nigeria which made Globacom to opt for per second billing.
The president said that the same services should be applicable to any satellite television company desiring to operate in Nigeria.
According to him, the association will align with whatever demands the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) has requested from Multichoice concerning its services.
NAN recalls that Multichoice, through its Chief Customer Officer, Martin Mabutho, had said it would not operate the pay-as-you-view tariff system in Nigeria in spite of demands for it.
”We are not going to introduce pay-as-you-view system. Our contract with our suppliers is on month-to-month basis. The channels do not belong to Multichoice.
”The issue of not introducing pay as you view remains. Nothing will change it.
”What we do is to slash our prices in half to make our customers enjoy our services,” Mabutho said. (NAN)
