[News] Telecom operators hint at tariff increase

The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has hinted at increasing tariffs across the country.

 

Chairman of ALTON, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo who spoke at a stakeholders’ meeting with the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), Dr Aminu Maida, on Thursday, November 16, said a price review should be considered in line with the rising operating cost. He added that operators are burdened by 52 taxes across the country.

 

He said;

 

“Our current pricing regime is no longer sustainable. That is the fact, with the way things are going, I am not sure we can sustain this sector with the current pricing regime.”

 

Adebayo, who urged the EVC to intervene in the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) debts owed them by Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) which has now hit N200 billion, noted that the total debt must be paid as the association would not hesitate in blocking debtor banks from accessing the service.

 

He assured the NCC EVC of the support of stakeholders in the sector, adding that it is important to put a timeline on resolutions reached at the meeting.