Telecom
ATCIS, Telecom Subscribers Group Kicks against Push by Telcos to Hike Tariff
Telecom subscribers, under the aegis of Association of Telephones, Cable TV and Internet Subscribers of Nigeria (ATCIS), recently kicked against the push by Nigeria mobile network operators (MNOs) to increase end user tariff on calls, data and others.
They say it is akin to putting the cart before the horse, insisting that customer experience on the network should precede any tariff hike.
The MNOs had, through the Association of Licensed Companies of Nigeria (ALTON), warned about likely service disruptions in the country should they be restricted to charging a tariff that does not cover their cost of operation, citing micro and macro economic headwinds in the country.
But ATCIS at a press conference in Lagos at the weekend, vehemently opposed the proposed tariff hike arguing that acceding to such a demand by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) will inevitably increase the burden of economic reform in the country.
Sina Bilesanmi, president, ATCIS, described the timing of the proposed tariff increase as “most insensitive” given the prevailing economic challenges faced by Nigerians.
“We are concerned that this strident call for a tariff hike is most unwelcome. It will impoverish telecom subscribers further, considering the realities on ground.
“We see it as most insensitive as it will impoverish our members the more in view of the realities on ground.
“The telcos have blamed the rising cost of diesel for powering their base transceiver stations (BTS) as one of the major reasons for the current clamour for tariff hike. We say no to any hike at this time with declining service quality.
“We say no to any hike without the consultation of consumer advocacy bodies such as ours. We reject any tariff hike without improved service quality. We align with the position of the NCC on this. The telcos shouldn’t resort to subtle threats and blackmail to get the approval of the NCC to hike tariffs,” he said.
He highlighted the significant contribution of the telecom sector to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) but emphasized that this does not justify burdening consumers with increased costs.
“While we understand the industry faces challenges, we believe any tariff increase will place an undue burden on consumers, many of whom are already struggling with the current economic situation,” ATCIS president added.
ATCIS urged the NCC to intervene, saying: “We urge the telecom companies to show restraint in implementing these increases and to explore ways to minimize the impact on vulnerable consumers, most of whom are our members, the many voiceless Nigerians.”
ATCIS also demanded transparency from telecom companies, stating: “We call for full transparency on the justification for this increase and the expected benefits to consumers.
“We demand that telecom companies improve service quality in line with the increased tariffs which the experiences of our members on the network have shown.”
Also speaking at the event, Mr. Sam Oladipupo, welfare manager at ATCIS, underscored the need for fair billing practices and open stakeholder consultations before any tariff hike.
“Subscribers are tired of arbitrary charges and unexplained deductions. There should be transparency in billing and customers should be fully informed about any changes to their plans. The N4 we pay for SMS should not even be in the first place,” he said.
Oladipupo also called on telecom operators to reward loyal customers and show empathy to subscribers facing economic hardship. “It is important for telecom companies to recognize the value of their long-standing customers and support those struggling financially, especially at this time that most homes are struggling to make ends meet,” he added.
ATCIS vowed to continue advocating for fair pricing, quality service, and the protection of consumer interests in Nigeria’s telecom sector just as it also emphasized its commitment to working with the telecom industry and the regulator to find solutions that protect consumers while ensuring the sustainability of the sector.
SHELT, a leading cybersecurity-as-a-service provider, has earned inclusion in the 2025 MSSP 250, the annual ranking of the world’s top 250 Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) by MSSP Alert, a CyberRisk Alliance publication.
SHELT
The list evaluates firms on business performance, service breadth, and industry impact, spotlighting those excelling in growth, operational excellence, and advanced managed security amid rising cyber threats. Selection criteria include annual recurring revenue, profitability, workforce expansion, business growth, and the depth of managed security offerings.
SHELT’s recognition underscores its investments in scalable security operations, threat intelligence, and tailored managed services across multiple regions, enabling clients to navigate complex risk landscapes effectively.
“Being recognised in the MSSP 250 is a meaningful milestone for our team,” stated Youssef Abillama, CEO of SHELT. “It validates our focus on building practical, resilient security services that help organisations manage risk and respond effectively to today’s evolving cyber threats.”
The company hailed the honour as testament to its teams’ dedication and expertise worldwide, reaffirming commitment to enhancing capabilities and delivering trusted cybersecurity solutions.
Meta Platforms, owner of Facebook, has appointed Dina Powell McCormick, a former adviser to President Donald Trump, as its new president and vice chairman, bolstering its leadership amid aggressive AI and infrastructure expansion.
Dina Powell McCormick
The announcement, made on Monday, positions Powell McCormick – who recently stepped down from Meta’s board after eight months – to guide overall strategy, including multi-billion-dollar investments in data centres and global partnerships.
A Goldman Sachs veteran with 16 years in senior roles and prior stints as deputy national security adviser under Trump and in the Bush administration, she brings deep finance and international ties to the role.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg hailed her as “uniquely qualified” for the company’s next growth phase, while President Trump praised the move on Truth Social as a “fantastic choice”.
The hire signals Meta’s efforts to strengthen White House relations, following recent dinners with Trump and U.S. investment pledges worth hundreds of billions
X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, has suspended the @Twitter account, replacing its profile with a standard notice citing violation of platform rules.
Musk
The action, which occurred on Sunday, January 11, left users encountering the handle greeted by a bold “Account Suspended” message on a black screen, with no details provided on the specific rules broken or the duration of the suspension.
The development has sparked widespread confusion and nostalgia among users, given that Elon Musk rebranded Twitter to X in July 2023, approximately six months after acquiring the platform for $44 billion in late 2022.
The @Twitter handle had remained dormant since before Musk’s takeover, serving as a legacy remnant of the platform’s original branding, and its suspension appears to mark the final erasure of the Twitter name amid X’s ongoing efforts to combat spam, impersonation, and rule violations.
X’s official statement on the suspended page simply reads: “X suspends accounts that violate our rules,” without offering an appeal process or further explanation, unlike standard user suspensions.
Public reactions on social media ranged from humorous laments of “RIP Twitter” to speculation that the move resulted from automated moderation or a deliberate cleanup of legacy trademarks.
xAI’s Grok AI described it as a purposeful retirement of outdated elements rather than a genuine infraction, while neither Elon Musk nor X spokespeople issued any comment as of Monday morning.
This incident underscores the evolving identity of the platform under Musk’s ownership, which also saw a domain shift to x.com in 2024, further distancing it from its Twitter roots.
Industry observers note that while the suspension aligns with X’s stricter enforcement policies, the lack of transparency has fueled debates on consistency in applying rules to high-profile legacy accounts.
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