NCC Approves 50% Hike in Call, SMS, Data Tariffs

This comes after telcos suggested a 100 per cent hike in the tariffs, the first of such changes in over 10 years.

Despite the recommendation, the NCC was concerned about the impact this would have on Nigerians, who are battling a cost of living crisis.

The NCC rationalised the 50 per cent hike, saying it wanted to strike a balance between protecting consumers and ensuring the industry’s sustainability.

“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,” a statement from the NCC read on Monday night.

Recall that the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Mr Bosun Tijani, has said the federal government may consider between 30 and 60 per cent hike in tariffs.

“I think it should not be more than anywhere between 30 and 60 per cent,” he said during an interview recently.

On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Mr Karl Toriola, said telcos are proposing a 100 per cent increase in tariffs to the Nigerian government.

He, however, pointed out that it won’t get such approval but said a substantial change, beneficial to all stakeholders, could be agreed upon.

It is not certain what the reaction of the telcos may be concerning this new development. If they disagree with the approval, it may lead to another round or dialogue or limitation of service offerings.