ALTON Says 50 Percent Tariff Hike Good for Telcom SectorAssociation of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has said the 50 per cent raise in data and call tariff will benefit consumers.
Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, ALTON,
Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, ALTON, who stated this Tuesday, explained that the tariff increase was not taken lightly, but rather was a necessary response to the significant economic challenges facing telecom operators.
Adebayo said, “The industry has been grappling with escalating costs, including diesel, energy, and inflation, without a corresponding adjustment in tariffs for 12 years.
“This has resulted in unsustainable operational costs, prompting telecom operators to seek a tariff review to maintain the quality of their services.
“The 50 per cent tariff hike was approved by regulatory authorities after a thorough review of economic indices, and is in line with the provisions of the Communications Act.”
The ALTON chairman noted that consumers will be the ultimate beneficiaries of the tariff adjustment.
He called for policies that would stabilise the forex market to support industry growth.
Adebayo said, “Furthermore, smaller telecoms players, burdened by high debt profiles, have been particularly vulnerable to the economic downturn, making network optimisation crucial.
“I urge the public to recognise that rising costs are a global economic reality, and not unique to the telecom industry.
“I also wish to assure our subscribers that telecom operators are committed to improving services and attracting more investments, leading to job creation and better overall service quality.
“The industry is now in a stronger position than in previous years.
“With increased investments and improved infrastructure, we are confident that the sector will continue to drive economic growth and provide better services to Nigerians.”