Emmanuel Ochayi
Subscribers Urge NCC to Reject Telecom Tariff Hike
Telecom subscribers in Nigeria, represented by the Association of Telephones, Cable TV, and Internet Subscribers (ATCIS), have expressed strong opposition to the recent demand by telecom operators for a 40% increase in tariffs.
The demand, made by the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), seeks to adjust voice and data charges, citing rising operational costs.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelHowever, subscribers call on the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to reject the proposal, emphasizing the financial strain it would place on consumers.
ATCIS Speaks Out
Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, Mr. Sina Bilesanmi, National President of ATCIS, voiced the concerns of millions of telecom subscribers across the country.
“ATCIS-Nigeria, the only leading telecom subscriber advocacy body, is deeply concerned about this call for a tariff hike. We see it as highly insensitive, especially in the current economic climate,” Bilesanmi stated.
Bilesanmi noted that while the telecom industry faces challenges, including increased operational costs and the need for infrastructure upgrades, passing these costs onto consumers is not a viable solution.
“The telcos have pointed to the rising cost of diesel for powering their base transceiver stations (BTS) as a reason for the proposed increase. But these reasons do not justify making consumers bear the burden,” he argued.
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NCC’s Role and Responsibility
The NCC has yet to respond to the telecom operators’ request, but ATCIS members are urging the regulatory body to stand firm against the tariff hike.
“We believe the NCC should prioritize the interests of consumers. Any increase in tariffs without proper consultation with consumer advocacy groups like ATCIS would be unacceptable,” Bilesanmi added.
The group insists that the NCC should not approve the tariff hike without thoroughly considering its impact on millions of subscribers across the country.
“The federal government and the NCC should ensure that policies and infrastructure are in place to create a conducive business environment for telecom operators.
However, this should not come at the expense of subscribers,” Bilesanmi emphasized.
The Call for Action
ATCIS is not just rejecting the tariff hike but is also calling for more involvement in the decision-making process.
“We say no to any hike without proper consultation with consumer advocacy bodies like ATCIS, which represents over 200 million members nationwide,” Bilesanmi asserted.
He warned that subscribers would resist any increase that lacks transparency and fairness.
Supporting this stance, Deacon Simon Oladipopo, a National Executive Committee (NEC) member of ATCIS, advised telecom operators to reconsider their approach.
“Telecom operators should not transfer the burden of managing their services onto innocent subscribers. The NCC must act in the interest of the people,” Oladipopo said.
Conclusion
As the debate over the proposed tariff hike continues, the NCC finds itself at a critical juncture.
The decision it makes will have far-reaching implications for both telecom operators and subscribers.
ATCIS, representing a significant portion of the subscriber base, has made its position clear: the NCC must reject the tariff increase to protect consumers from further economic hardship.
