By Blessing Obi
As Nigerians brace for the impact of a potential hike in telecom service charges, Karl Toriola, the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, has clarified that although the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced a 50% tariff increase for telecom operators, the implementation of the hike has not been approved.
Toriola made this known during a recent industry briefing, addressing concerns about rising costs in the telecommunications sector. He emphasized that while the NCC acknowledges the need for price adjustments due to economic challenges, regulatory approval is still pending.
“The NCC has communicated the necessity for a 50% tariff increase, but it is important to note that the implementation of this adjustment has not been sanctioned. We remain in discussions with the regulators to ensure a balanced approach that serves both the industry and consumers,” Toriola stated.
This revelation comes amid growing concern over the rising cost of living, with inflation, foreign exchange volatility, and increased operational expenses pushing businesses to seek adjustments. For telecom operators, factors such as diesel prices, network infrastructure costs, and naira depreciation have made sustaining operations at current tariff levels increasingly difficult.
Industry analysts say a tariff increase is inevitable, given the economic realities, but stress the need for a phased and well-communicated transition. While consumers worry about affordability, operators argue that without price adjustments, service quality may decline due to financial strain.
For now, subscribers can breathe a sigh of relief, as telecom charges remain unchanged pending regulatory approval. However, with ongoing discussions between the NCC and industry stakeholders, the possibility of an increase remains on the horizon.
