FCCPC guides multichoic to suspend planned 21% tariff increase while waiting for the investigation

Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) he trained Multichoice to keep their subscription prices existing until the end of its investigation regarding the increase of the tariffs proposed by the Pay TV. The commission’s investigation follows the decision of the company -Mama DSTV and GOTV to adjust the prices for commissions until March 1.

In a statement Signed by his corporate business director, Ondaje Ijagwu, FCCPC mentioned that he had granted Multichoice’s request to postpone his appearance.

FCCPC previously called the company to appear on February 27 for an investigation hearing on adjusting the scheduled prices of the subscription.

The regulatory authority has now resolved the reschedule reschedule until March 6, 2025, while requested the presence of the company’s CEO, relevant officers and a comprehensive response to the investigation.

“As part of this directive, Multichoici is expressly trained to maintain the structure of existing prices on February 27, 2025, waiting for the Commission’s revision and the final determination in this regard ”,” The statement reads.

Offering additional explanations regarding his action, the Commission said that his decision to stop the adjustment is to prevent consumers’ exploitation during investigation time. He added that more updates would be available as the investigation is in charge.

Technext has previously reported that multichoice will increase subscription Prices on various packages starting March 2025. This will see that the cost of the compact bouquet DSTV increases from N15,700 to N19,000, representing an increase of 21 %. The adjustment comes almost a year since the last price review.

The company attributes the increase in the prices of Nigeria’s economic challenges, such as Naara depreciation, high energy and inflation costs that have been at 24.48 % since January 2025.

“Dear customers, please note that, in force, from March 1, 2025, there will be a price adjustment to all DSTV/Gotv packages. This is to allow us to continue to offer our clients content of world -class and international content, delivered through the best technology,“The DSTV/GOTV company said in a statement.

Other DSTV bouquets will also be affected. Next month, the premium package will go for N44,500, the family package will increase from N9,300 to N11,000, while the access bouquet will increase to N6,000.

Similarly, GOTV subscribers will see an increase, the value package increasing from N3.600 to N3,900, and the Plus package that moves from N4.850 to N5.800.

Read similar: FCCPC convenes multichoice over the plane to increase DSTV, GOTV subscriptions by 21%.

Multichoic tariff hiking: Can FCCPC come to rescue?

The increase of the subscription proposed by Multichoice comes when Nigerians are still struggling to cope with the increase of 50 % of telecommunications, which saw that mobile network operators adjust the cost of voice and data calls.

Also, Nigeria as a whole was encrypted by the recent economic decline, the inflation continues and the depreciation. Enterprises in various sectors have fought with the impact of government reforms, such as eliminating fuel subsidies and most electricity tariffs. As a result, several companies in the councils adjusted prices.

Multichoic users would look for the FCCPC face if the planned adjustment can be reduced or withdrawn.

In his appeal for Multichoice to appear for an investigation, the Commission stressed that the recurrent unilateral adjustment raises critical questions about the ethics of fairness, market abuse and potential anti -competitive practices.

“The exercise of his mandate in accordance with sections 32 and 33 of FCCPA, FCCPC guided the executive director of Multichoice Nigeria to participate in an investigation hearing at the Commission headquarters, Thursday, February 2025”, Says the Commission.

FCCPC has expressed that it is deeply worried, as Nigerian consumers continue to face frequent price increases. He added that the hiking comes against the background of the accusations that Multichoice applies different price strategies on other markets, increasing questions about equity and market abuse.

The regulatory authority warned multichoges that non -compliant explanation or violation of the equitable market principles could lead to penalties, sanctions or other corrective measures.

In general, the Commission has committed to serve the role of guardian consumers in the involvement of relevant agencies to ensure fair competition and stronger protection in the paid television industry and in the telecommunications sector.