Telecommunication operators in Nigeria are advocating an increase in the prices of their services.
They said the increase is long overdue as their prices have remained the same for 11 years.
The Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and The Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) in a joint statement, signed by Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, and Engr. Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere, ALTON Chairman and ATCON President respectively, lamented that despite the rising inflation in the country, prices of services in the industry had not been reviewed, a situation they blamed on regulatory constraints.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) which regulates prices in the telecom industry had said a cost-based study was being conducted to determine if it would approve price increments for the operators.
“For a fully liberalized and deregulated sector, the current price control mechanism, which is not aligned with economic realities, threatens the industry’s sustainability and can erode investors’ confidence,” they said.
The operators urged the government to facilitate a constructive dialogue with industry stakeholders to address pricing challenges and establish a framework that balances consumers’ affordability with operators’ financial viability.”
