Telecommunications operators in Nigeria, under the aegis of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), have threatened to shut down their services in some parts of the country if their demand for a tariff review is not considered by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
Here are the key points:
1. Reason for the Demand: The operators are demanding a tariff review due to rising operational costs, skyrocketing energy costs, inflation, and volatile exchange rates.
2. Consequences of No Review: If the tariffs are not reviewed, operators may not be able to provide services in some areas, leading to service shedding and significant economic fallout.
3. Impact on the Economy: The disruption in telecom services will affect key sectors like security, commerce, healthcare, and education, which rely heavily on telecom infrastructure.
4. ALTON’s Warning: The ALTON Chairman, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, warned that the future of the telecom sector is at grave risk if the tariff review is not implemented.
5. NCC’s Response: The NCC is conducting a cost-based study to determine if it will approve price increments for the operators.
The telecom operators have been clamoring for a tariff review since last year, citing increasing costs and regulatory restraints that prevent them from pricing appropriately.
Source: Nairametrics
