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By Chinenye Anuforo
Telecommunications operators under the aegis of Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) is eagerly awaiting the official Determination document from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). This document will provide crucial guidelines for implementing the recently approved 50% tariff adjustment.
Following the NCC’s announcement on Monday, which attributed the adjustment to escalating operational costs and the need to sustain the telecom industry, ATCON is emphasizing the need for clear directives. The Commission’s authority for this decision is rooted in Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
In a statement, ATCON President Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere stated: “While the approved tariff adjustment, capped at a maximum of 50 percent, does not fully address the operators’ request for a 100 percent increase, we understand that this is a step towards bridging the gap between operational costs and revenues.” He further emphasized that this adjustment will be crucial for operators to continue investing in infrastructure, expanding coverage, and ultimately improving service quality for consumers.
ATCON reassured Nigerians that the primary goal of these adjustments is to improve the overall consumer experience.
Operators are committed to reinvesting the additional revenue into enhancing network quality, expanding digital access, and delivering a better service to their customers.
Despite facing significant challenges such as inflation, exchange rate volatility, and rising operational costs, telecom tariffs in Nigeria have remained largely stagnant for over a decade. These factors, coupled with the substantial investment demands of the sector, have placed immense financial pressure on operators, threatening the long-term sustainability of this critical sector for Nigeria’s digital economy.
ATCON acknowledged the NCC’s efforts to balance the interests of both operators and consumers. The association emphasized the importance of continued open dialogue and collaboration with the regulator to address the ongoing challenges facing the industry.
The telecommunications sector, ATCON noted, remains committed to contributing to national development and economic growth through sustained investment and improved connectivity for all Nigerians.
