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.”

Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB) has announced that its state-of-the-art National Shared Services Centre Data Center 1 (NSSC DC1), Phase 1, located in Abuja, has been awarded the Uptime Institute Tier III Certification of Constructed Facility.

This globally recognized certification, underscores Galaxy Backbone’s unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional digital infrastructure services that adhere to the highest global standards of availability, resilience, and reliability.

As Nigeria’s foremost digital infrastructure and ICT service provider, Galaxy Backbone remains steadfast in its mission to provide innovative Cloud, Colocation, Connectivity, and Cybersecurity solutions to meet the dynamic needs of organizations in both public and private sectors.

The Tier III Certification is a testament to the company’s dedication to building a world-class digital ecosystem that supports its clients’ evolving demands while maintaining uncompromising operational efficiency.

The Uptime Institute Tier III Certification represents a benchmark for operational excellence and reliability. The certification guarantees an infrastructure built to withstand unexpected disruptions, including natural disasters, cyberattacks, and emergencies.

This ensures uninterrupted business operations for our customers and aligns with our commitment to delivering reliable services that safeguard our clients’ critical data and digital assets.

This achievement adds to Galaxy Backbone’s portfolio of certifications, which already includes ISO 20000(Service Management Systems), ISO 2700l(Information Security Management Systems(ISMS), ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management), PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) and ISO 22301:2019 (Business Continuity Management).

These milestones highlight our unwavering commitment to operational excellence, continuous improvement, maintaining international standards and client satisfaction. With each certification, Galaxy Backbone solidifies its position as a trailblazer in ICT solutions and a key enabler of Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.

As Galaxy Backbone celebrates this significant milestone in addition to Galaxy Backbone existing  Tier-IV Data Center TCCF (Tier-IV Certification of Constructed Facility), we reaffirm our commitment to fostering sustainable partnerships with stakeholders while expanding our fibre-optic network to reach more cities and underserved communities across Nigeria.

This expansion will create a stronger and more inclusive digital ecosystem, empowering organizations of all sizes to achieve their goals with confidence.

Together, we will continue to set new benchmarks in innovation, service delivery, and infrastructure development, positioning Nigeria as a leading player in the global digital economy.

The Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agency (LASIMRA) has announced the commencement of the enumeration of communication towers and masts across Lagos State in collaboration with Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON).

In a statement signed by Prince Oyekanmi Elegushi, the General Manager/Chief Executive Officer, LASIMRA. “The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) is pleased to collaborate on this important initiative.

This project is vital for addressing public safety concerns raised by the Lagos State Government regarding abandoned communication towers and will deliver significant benefits to our industry and the broader public”.

The Lagos City Mast and Tower Enumeration Project aims to develop a comprehensive and up-to-date database of all communication towers in Lagos State. While many towers are owned by non-telecommunication entities—such as broadcasting companies (television and radio stations), government agencies, emergency services (police, fire, military, and defense organizations), financial institution, private security firms, and others—there is often a public misconception that all towers belong to network operators.

The Lagos State Government has highlighted the need to address critical issues related to public safety, structural integrity, and the potential risks associated with abandoned towers.

This enumeration exercise will help clearly identify and distinguish telecom operators’ towers from those owned by other entities, enabling better regulatory oversight, improved infrastructure management and for further action by the Lagos State Planning authorities.

According to Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, ALTON, “this initiative, endorsed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and jointly sponsored by our members, demonstrates our commitment to self-regulation, proactive risk management, and safeguarding public interest.

“By maintaining a robust and secure infrastructure in Lagos State and across the Nation, will strengthen industry-led solutions, enhance our reputation, and foster stronger relationships with regulators and stakeholders.

Through this project, we aim to promote public safety, support environmental sustainability, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards. The initiative will also serve as a framework for similar future projects in other major cities across Nigeria as we proceed to Phase 2.

“We call on all stakeholders to support this exercise, ensuring its success in the public interest and for the safety and well-being of all. ALTON remains committed to working with Lagos State Government through LASIMRA and all relevant stakeholders to achieve these goals”.