After years of deliberation and negotiations, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Monday officially approved a 50% tariff adjustment for telecommunications services across the country.
This long-awaited decision marks a significant development in the telecom industry, as stakeholders have debated the need for revised pricing to address rising operational costs and sustain service delivery.
The adjustment comes in response to persistent calls from service providers for a tariff review, citing inflation, increasing energy costs, and the need to invest in infrastructure upgrades to meet the growing demand for quality telecommunications services.
By approving this hike, the NCC aims to strike a balance between ensuring service providers remain financially viable and safeguarding consumers’ access to reliable communication services.
The NCC, in a statement issued by its Spokesperson, Reuben Muoka, on Monday said the decision, which is under its authority granted by Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, aims to address the sustainability challenges facing the industry while ensuring the protection of consumers.
It said the approval, which falls below the over 100% hike requested by some network operators, will be implemented within the tariff bands outlined in the NCC’s 2013 Cost Study.
