With the increasing market capture by digital terrestrial pay-tv service providers, Nigerians have called for a sustained emergence of more pay-tv companies to dilute the effect of service monopoly enjoyed by few existing service providers. In recent times, cable and satellite pay-tv subscribers in Nigeria have been lamenting the inconsiderate hike in subscription of pay-tv services. For instance, a well-known multinational which owns the biggest digital satellite pay-tv service in Nigeria has effected tariff increment over twice just within a period of 12 months.
To many Nigerians, that move came as a shock. Many looked for alternatives but many more remained faithful despite the economic shock it brought about. It may surprise you to know that a lot of Nigerians keep saying that despite the unfriendly tariff, the program packaging, super-digital technology and highly-rated content of DStv has remained unbeaten.
However, as a way of stemming the ugly trend of tariff increment and other system failures, My Digi-Tech Media Blog interviewed a cross-section of Nigerians. This is what they said;
Emeka: “I feel the solution lies with the government providing the conducive business environment for competition to thrive. If other pay-tv service providers would come in, the quest to win the hearts of Nigerians would definitely force the tariffs down. It will also ensure a super-packaged program content”.
Dayo: “This is not the first time similar pay-tv companies were being introduced into the country. Unfortunately, they could not see the light of the day. But thanks to service providers like the Startimes and GOtv, Nigerians are beginning to heave some sighs of relieve”.
Mary: “It is always painful that you cant watch DStv so long as the weather is bad or rain is falling. You cant have a pay-as-you-watch subscription. Whether you watch or not, your subscription is disconnected 30 days after payment. This is not really justice”.
The Telecommunication sector are not also left out in this menace. Nigerians keep complaining about putting a stop to the thousands of unsolicited text messages which greet your phone every now and then. It seems to go on unabated. The unfortunate thing is that there are already many players in the Nigerian telecommunication industry but they all seem to be in this ugly game. Consequently, Nigerians are left with little or no choice.
Who can come to the aid of the millions of Nigerian subscribers? All efforts reportedly made by the Government have remained ineffective. As more Nigerians join the call for a complete positive revolution or overhaul of the digital satellite pay-tv and telecommunication industry, My Digi-Tech Media Blog shall continue to follow the story in order to keep you well informed.
I shall be glad to read about your experience – good or bad on this issue and more. Also share this topic with friends to enable them join the call for a better and more efficient pay-Tv and Telecommunication services in Nigeria.