The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has given telecoms operators in the country the go ahead to hike their tariffs by 50 per cent.
Spokesman of NCC, Reuben Muoka, announced this on Monday.
He said the approval was in response to prevailing economic and market conditions.
The approved adjustment, capped at a maximum increase of 50% over existing tariffs, is significantly lower than the over 100% hike requested by some operators.
The NCC explained that this limit was determined after considering ongoing industry reforms aimed at ensuring long-term sustainability.
“The decision followed consultations with public and private sector stakeholders to ensure a balanced approach.
Consumer Protection,” he said.
The NCC assured consumers that the adjustments would be implemented transparently and fairly, with operators required to inform and educate the public about the changes.
It also acknowledged the economic challenges faced by Nigerian households and businesses and expressed empathy for the potential impact of tariff increases.
To minimize the burden on consumers, the Commission mandated telecom operators to prioritize service delivery improvements alongside the new tariffs.
Operators must also provide measurable evidence of these improvements to ensure accountability, NCC said.
According to the NCC, these adjustments align with the tariff bands established in its 2013 Cost Study and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, consistent with the Commission’s established approach to tariff reviews.
“The implementation will strictly adhere to the NCC’s newly issued Guidance on Tariff Simplification 2024, ensuring fairness and transparency.
“The NCC highlighted that telecom tariff rates have remained unchanged since 2013 despite rising operational costs faced by service providers.
“The approved changes aim to bridge the gap between increasing operational expenses and stagnant tariffs while maintaining uninterrupted services for consumers,” he said.
The NCC further explained that the adjustment in tariffs : “will enable telecom operators to invest in infrastructure and innovation, leading to better network quality, enhanced customer support, and wider coverage.”
(votalnewsngr.com)
