Communication Minister, NCC Summon Telcos Over Tariff Hike

The Minister of Communications, Innovations, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has summoned telecommunications operators over recent push for 100 per cent tariff increase.

The meeting on Wednesday was attended by MTN Nigeria, Airtel, Globacom, 9Mobile, and others.

It was gathered that telecom industry regulators, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) were in attendance.

The move comes barely a week after the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, Karl Toriola revealed that telecom companies sought for 100 per cent tariff raise.

Toriola said “The cost we are expending are actually exceeding our revenue. Even though we are seeing revenue growth and there is no way that the industry can continue to sustain itself and provide the required quality of service under this structure.

“We have put forward the request of approximately 100 per cent in tariff increases to the regulators. I doubt they are going to approve that quantum of increases because they are very sensitive to the current economic situation in the country.

“But we are hopeful and optimistic that the realities are steering us in the face and the right decision will be taken for the sustainability of the industry.”

Also telecoms operators under the aegis of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) had written the NCC for 40 per cent tariff hike.

They said with the planned tariff hike, a voice call will rise from N11.00 to N15.40 per minute, short message services will jump from N4.00 to N5.60 and one GB data bundle will move from N1,000 to N1,400 at 40 per cent increase in telecons tariff.

But the National President of NATCOMS, Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo said raising tariff will add burden to subscribers.

Communication Minister, NCC Summon Telcos Over Tariff Hike is first published on The Whistler Newspaper