Telecoms ask NCC to consider increasing tariffs by Q1
The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has urged the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to consider reviewing call tariffs upwardly by the first quarter (Q2) of 2025.
In an interview with NAN on Wednesday, Tony Emoekpere, president of ATCON, said the hike is necessary to enable its members to improve the quality of their services.
The association, established on December 10, 1993, is a professional, non-profit and non-political umbrella organisation representing telecommunications companies in Nigeria.
Emoekpere said the biggest challenge in the industry is currency depreciation which has negatively affected the quality of service.
“Like I have said before, revenue being generated is not enough to support the ongoing operations of most of the telcos and the infrastructure providers as well,” the president said.
“So, the earlier a firm decision is made on this issue, the better for the industry.
“Nigeria does not have a stagnant population; the population is growing every day. More and more people are coming to the bracket where they need operators’ services.”
Emoekpere urged the ministry of communications, innovation and digital economy, and the NCC to seriously consider the call for a tariff increase, highlighting the value chain nature of the sector.
Although the NCC has not officially announced any tariff increases, Emoekpere said discussions about harmonising tariffs have taken place in the past.
He said while a growing population demands more products and investments, businesses need to charge reasonable tariffs to remain sustainable and avoid negative impacts.
“So, we call upon the Ministry of Communication and the regulators to look into this matter and take a firm decision, at least by the first quarter of 2025,’’ the president said.
“Already, people are complaining about quality of service and things like that.
“The big challenge is that as things stand, due to the current revenue depreciation, so to speak, especially on dollar terms, there is no way it is not going to have an adverse effect on quality of service.
“It will also have an adverse effect on service and status of the infrastructure because there will be no incentive to invest.”
On December 30, 2024, the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) echoed similar concerns.
ALTON warned that its members might begin shedding services if urgent action is not taken to review tariffs, as the Nigerian telecommunications industry is facing critical challenges.
