By Anastasia John E.
Abuja, Nigeria – The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has approved a 50% increase in call and data tariffs for telecommunications companies (telcos) in the country.
The decision, which is expected to be formally announced today, comes after months of pressure from telcos who cited rising operational costs, particularly the high cost of diesel, as the primary reason for the increase.
Industry sources revealed that telcos consume a substantial amount of diesel monthly to power their base stations, significantly impacting their operational expenses.
Furthermore, telcos have been investing heavily in software and hardware upgrades to maintain and improve service quality. The recent devaluation of the naira has also exacerbated financial challenges for the industry.
While telcos initially sought a significant tariff increase ranging from 100% to 300%, the NCC approved a 50% increase to ensure the financial viability of the sector.
“They have been running at losses,” an NCC official stated. “We have to do something so they do not collapse.”
The official emphasized the need for the increase to enable telcos to maintain and improve their services, stating that the industry relies heavily on sophisticated technology and faces significant financial pressures.
The NCC’s decision comes after years of relatively stable tariffs. The last major tariff review was conducted in 2013, establishing a range of N6.40 to N50 per minute for calls.
The exact new tariff rates are expected to be announced later today.
