The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), pursuant to its power under Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 (NCA) to regulate and approve tariff rates and charges by telecommunications operators, has approved tariff adjustment requests by Network Operators in response to prevailing market conditions.
The adjustment, capped at a maximum of 50 per cent of current tariffs, though lower than the over 100 per cent requested by some network operators, was arrived at taking into account ongoing industry reforms that will positively influence sustainability.
According to a statement by the Commission, these adjustments will remain within the tariff bands stipulated in the 2013 NCC Cost Study, and requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis as is the Commission's standard practice for tariff reviews.
It will be implemented in strict adherence to the recently issued NCC Guidance on Tariff Simplification, 2024.
Tariff rates have remained static since 2013, despite the increasing costs of operation faced by telecom operators. The approved adjustment is aimed at addressing the significant gap between operational costs and current tariffs while ensuring that the delivery of services to consumers is not compromised.
These adjustments, the statement reiterated, will support the ability of operators to continue investing in infrastructure and innovation, ultimately benefiting consumers through improved services and connectivity, including better network quality, enhanced customer service, and greater coverage.
Recognising the concerns of the public, the commission said, the decision was made after extensive consultations with key stakeholders across the public and private sectors.
NCC said it has prioritised striking a balance between protecting telecom consumers and ensuring the sustainability of the industry, including the thousands of indigenous vendors and suppliers who form a critical part of the telecommunications ecosystem.
The statement added that the commission also recognized the financial pressures faced by Nigerian households and businesses and remains deeply empathetic to the impact of tariff adjustments.
To this end, NCC has mandated that operators implement these adjustments transparently and in a manner that is fair to consumers. Operators are also required to educate and inform the public about the new rates while demonstrating measurable improvements in service delivery.
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