New post Need visibility? Apply for a FREE post for your Startup.  Apply Here

News

NCC approves 50% increase in telecommunication tariffs

1 Mins read

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has approved a 50% increase in telecommunications tariffs, marking the first of such adjustment in nearly eleven years. The decision affects voice calls, data services, and SMS charges across all mobile networks in the country.

The regulatory body’s approval comes after telecommunications companies initially requested a 100% tariff increase in October 2024, citing mounting losses from Nigeria’s currency devaluation and rising operational costs. The NCC settled on a more moderate 50% increase to balance industry sustainability with consumer protection.

According to NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, the adjustment aims to address the significant gap between operational costs and current tariffs while ensuring service quality is not compromised. Tariff rates had remained unchanged since 2013 despite increasing operational expenses.

The decision has faced immediate pushback from consumer advocacy groups. Both the Association of Cable TVs, Internet and Telecom Subscribers of Nigeria (ATCIS-Nigeria) and the National Association of Telecom Subscribers of Nigeria (NATCOMS) have rejected the increase, describing it as insensitive to struggling Nigerians already dealing with soaring inflation and fuel subsidy removal. NATCOMS has announced plans to challenge the hike in court.

Read also: Chinese app – Rednote – gains massively as US tiktokers seek alternative

The new pricing structure will affect Nigeria’s over 224 million subscribers across all major networks, including MTN (87 million subscribers), Globacom (61 million), Airtel (61 million), and 9mobile (13.9 million).

The NCC has mandated that operators implement these changes transparently and demonstrate measurable improvements in service delivery, including better network quality, enhanced customer service, and expanded coverage. The implementation will follow the recently issued NCC Guidance on Tariff Simplification, 2024, with adjustments reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Don’t miss any tech news ever!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

915 posts

About author
When I'm not reading about tech, I'm writing about it, or thinking about the next weird food combinations to try. I do all these with my headphones plugged in, and a sticky note on my computer with the words: "The galaxy needs saving, Star Lord."
Articles
Related posts
News

SoftBank eyes massive $25 billion investment in OpenAI

1 Mins read
Japanese investment giant, SoftBank, is in talks to invest up to $25 billion in OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT. The move will…
News

Kenyan fintech - M-KOPA - wins trademark battle against former agent

1 Mins read
M-KOPA, a leading Kenyan asset financing startup, has secured legal victory in a trademark infringement case against a former agent who attempted…
ArticleNewsRandom

WhatsApp Working On The Release Of A Multi-account Feature For iOS Users

1 Mins read
WhatsApp is busy working on a game-changing feature for its iOS app: multi-account support. What does it mean to iPhone Users? This…
Newsletter Subscription

🤞 Don’t miss any update!

We don’t spam! Read more in our privacy policy

Join our Telegram channel here - t.me/TechpadiAfrica

Leave a Reply

×
News

Tiktok faces imminent shutdown as US ban looms