Telecom firms
Telcos threaten to withdraw services over USSD charges misinformation
The telecom operators in Nigeria, including MTN Nigeria, Airtel, Globacom and 9Mobile have threatened to withdraw network support for banks’ Unstructured Supplementary Services Data, USSD, following what they described as gross misinformation of subscribers on the mode of deduction for transaction fees.
USSD, commonly known as ‘bank transfers’, is done through short codes on mobile phones.
“The reason for that clause was because the telcos insisted that the process of migration is such that will not allow a customer to be billed twice; in other words, that a subscriber would not have his airtime deducted and also have his or her money deducted for same services from his or her bank account.
” As we speak, some of the banks have cleared their debts, but the majority are yet to do so. So, even if all the modalities of migrating to end-user billing have been perfectly carried out, the implementation cannot even begin because the banks are yet to clear the USSD debt owed to the telcos.
“Our position now is that if that is the way the banks want to treat the agreement, we may withdraw support for their USSD services. It is not a must-have. They can do without it. But, they should clear the debts as agreed,” he added.
Accord Party Exposes Alleged APC Scheme to Disqualify Opposition Ahead of Osun 2026 Election The…
JAMB Releases 2026 UTME Registration Guidelines, Highlights Common Profile Code, NIN Issues The Joint Admissions…
Nigeria withdraws fighter jets as Benin recovers after failed coup attempt Nigeria has withdrawn the…
Dozen Soldiers Held as Benin Govt Thwarts Coup Against President Patrice Talon Authorities in Benin…
Sokoto Officials Deny Mosque Attack as Bandits Kill Five in Gatawa Raid Chairman of Sabon…
FG Begins Recovery of 157 Almajiri Schools The Federal Government has commenced the official recovery…