Telecoms Subscribers Reject Proposed 40% Tariff Hike

Telecommunications subscribers in Nigeria have vehemently rejected the proposed 40% tariff hike on telecom services, describing it as insensitive and exploitative.

The National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS) made its position known in a communiqué jointly signed by its National President, Chief Adeolu Ogunbanjo, and Secretary, Barr. Bayo Omotubora.

The planned tariff hike, which is expected to take effect in 2025, has been justified by telecom operators as a necessary measure to offset the rising costs of operations.

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However, NATCOMS argued that the increase would further exacerbate the economic hardship faced by Nigerians.

“The unrelenting rise in prices of goods and services in the country has made life extremely difficult for the generality of citizens who are the consumers of telecom services. The new increment is, therefore, one additional burden too many,” the association stated.

Under the proposed tariff regime, the cost of voice calls would increase from N11 to N15.40 per minute, while short message services would rise from N4 to N5.60.

Also, the price of a 1GB data bundle would jump from N1,000 to N1,400. NATCOMS described the planned hike as “an official policy to price telecom services out of the reach of the generality of the citizens of this country.”

The association urged telecom operators to explore alternative funding options, such as public offers, to meet their rising operational costs.

“We are aware of the arguments of the telecom operators that there has not been any tariff increment in a decade, multiple levies slammed on them by different levels/tiers of government, and the dollarization of the costs of their equipment.

But if the truth be told, there are many other avenues through which the operators can generate funds to meet their rising operational costs without putting an unbearable burden on their consumers,” NATCOMS added.