Telcos Push for Tariff Increase Amid Economic Hardships
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.
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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
