Telecommunications companies in Nigeria, including Glo, MTN, Airtel, and 9Mobile, are urging the federal government to facilitate discussions on pricing adjustments within the industry.

In a joint statement by the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), the telcos emphasized that the current pricing mechanism is not aligned with economic realities.

According to Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of ALTON, and Mr. Tony Emoekpere, President of ATCON, the telecommunications giants are facing sustainability challenges due to their reluctance to review prices over the past 11 years.

They attribute this stagnation to regulatory constraints, despite economic hardships.

The telcos argue that, as a fully liberalized and deregulated sector, the current price controls threaten both industry sustainability and investor confidence.

They emphasize the need for a dialogue with government stakeholders to establish a pricing framework that balances consumer affordability with operator viability.

Additionally, the telcos expressed concerns about security challenges affecting service productivity.

They called for urgent government action to safeguard telecom infrastructure from vandalism and sabotage, emphasizing its crucial role in national security and socioeconomic growth.

As the industry seeks substantial investments in network expansion, maintenance, and technology upgrades, the call for tariff adjustments underscores the complex landscape of Nigeria’s telecommunications sector amid economic uncertainties and security threats

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TECHDIGEST – The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has drawn attention to the hindrance posed by infrastructural deficits within the telecommunication sector on the creation of digital jobs.

ATCON emphasized that unless these deficiencies are addressed, achieving success in the application layers, where a majority of digital jobs are found, would remain challenging.

The association’s stance came in response to the appointment of Mr. Bosun Tijani as the new Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy.

While outlining the sector’s hurdles, ATCON underscored the necessity for developing, securing, and expanding communication infrastructure across the nation.

ATCON affirmed that by establishing a robust infrastructure foundation, the telecom sector could foster innovative digital services that leverage the burgeoning digital economy, enabling its growth and expansion across both served and underserved regions.

Tony Emoekpere, President of ATCON, expressed, “A paramount need exists to bolster communication infrastructure development, security, and expansion nationwide. Strengthening infrastructure will pave the way for innovative digital services to thrive, capitalizing on the surging digital economy and extending their reach to all corners of the country, particularly areas currently lacking access.”

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Emoekpere also highlighted ongoing industry challenges encompassing funding, security, and regulatory permissions.

Enumerating key priorities for the new minister’s agenda, he stated, “Priorities should include creating a specialized foreign exchange window for industry operators, enacting the Critical National Infrastructure Bill, implementing Right of Way agreements, and addressing issues related to multiple taxation and regulation.”

Emoekpere emphasized that the minister’s accomplishments would directly impact the industry’s trajectory, suggesting the establishment of an industry-focused think-tank team to expedite sectoral growth and development.

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