Telcos Ask NCC for Permission to Hike Tariff for Voice, Data Services

Telecommunication operators in Nigeria have asked Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for permission to increase their tariff for voice and data services to enable them cushion the harsh operating climate.

This is coming two months after an earlier letter to the industry regulator to demand for tariff adjustment.

They are appealing to the regulator to understand that yielding to their demand will not only arrest the prevalent loss of revenues among the telcos but also steady the sector towards sustaining its appreciable contribution to the growth of gross domestic product, GDP.

The telcos gave their reasons at a special reception hosted by the industry players under the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), in Lagos.

Mr. Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere, president, ATCON, emphasized the association’s commitment to working with the NCC.

He said: “I welcome the Executive Vice-Chairman, EVC to our industry, Dr. Aminu Maina. It’s a traditional event that we always do at ATCON to host all key stakeholders and we believe that the EVC of NCC is a major stakeholder in our industry.

“We do this from time to time and we’re very privileged and honoured to have him here in our presence.

“We pledge to continue to work with the Commission as we have done in the past.

He highlighted ATCON’s long standing role in representing industry interests and facilitating dialogue between regulators and operators.