GTBank Shifts ?6.98 USSD Fee to Customers’
Airtime from Today
Lagos, June 18, 2025
– Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) has begun deducting the ?6.98 USSD banking
transaction fee directly from customers' mobile airtime instead of their bank
accounts, effective June 18, 2025 .
What’s Changing & Why
- New
Billing Model: A message sent to customers states:
“Effective 18?June?2025, the ?6.98 USSD fee will be deducted from your
airtime balance, not your bank account”.
- Industry
Directive: This shift is part of the NCC–CBN’s
End?User Billing (EUB) model aimed at resolving longstanding
disputes over USSD service debts—which reached as high as ?250?billion—by
ensuring telecom operators are paid promptly .
- Earlier
Adopters: UBA began this shift on June 3,
2025, and GTBank is the latest in a growing list aligning with the new
policy
How It Works for You
- Per-Session
Fee: Each USSD session (up to 120 seconds) costs
?6.98, charged by your mobile network—all clear and pre-approved before
deduction.
- User
Consent: You’ll get a prompt at the start of
every session; airtime is only deducted once you confirm.
- No
Double Billing: You’ll never be charged twice for
the same session—regulators have safeguards in place
Benefits for Stakeholders
- Transparency
for Customers: You control and monitor deductions
as you do with calls and SMS.
- Telecom
Operators Get Paid: The model ensures telecom
providers receive payment for USSD usage without delays.
- Banks
Stay Compliant: GTBank and others are following NCC
and CBN mandates to clear historical debts and avoid future billing
disputes.
Comments:
Leave a Reply