- By Halimah Olamide
The telecommunications companies operating in Nigeria notably Glo, MTN, Airtel and Mobile are seeking an increase in tariffs in a bid to offset the rising cost of operation and investment in the sector.
According to the telcos, the current price control mechanism is not in tandem with the economic realities, thus seeking the government’s intervention in order to address pricing challenges.
The four telecommunications giants said they were the only ones that have not reviewed their prices which threaten the industry’s sustainability and possibly erodes investors’ confidence.
They made this known in a joint statement by the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) on Thursday.
According to the statement signed by ALTON Chairman, Mr benga Adebayo, and ATCON President, Mr Tony Emoekpere, there has not been a general service pricing framework upward in the past 11 years.
He attributed the non-increment to regulatory constraints despite the adverse economic hardship.
“For a fully liberalised 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.
Despite the adverse economic headwinds, the telecommunications industry remains the only industry yet to review its general service pricing framework upward in the last 11 years, primarily due to regulatory constraints.
“Government needs to facilitate a constructive dialogue with industry stakeholders to address pricing challenges and establish a framework that balances consumers’ affordability with operators’ financial viability.”
READ ALSO: