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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has ordered the reversal of the implementation of the newly approved 10% hike in tariff for voice and data services.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the NCC Director, Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka.
This decision means that telcos like MTN Nigeria and Airtel; who had initially increased the prices of their data bundles by about 10 per cent; will now need to revert to their old prices.
The NCC stated that the initial consideration for a 10% approval for tariff adjustments; particularly for various voice and data packages was in accordance with the commission’s mandates; as provided by the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, and other extant Regulations and Guidelines; as this was within the restrictions of the industry’s established price floor and price cap.
But it claimed that its decision to let telecoms operators like MTN Nigeria and Airtel; as well as others evaluate the costs of some of their tariffs came only after a rigorous; realistic analysis of the country’s operational environment and present economic climate.
“The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has maintained that his priority is to protect the citizens and ensure justice for all stakeholders involved.
“As such, anything that will bring more hardship at this critical time will not be accepted. This was also why he obtained the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari for the suspension of the proposed 5 per cent excise duty, to maintain a conducive enabling environment for the telecom operators.
“Much as there is an increase in the cost of production; the provision of telecom services is still very profitable…The subscribers mustn’t be subjected to a hike in charges. In view of the above, the Commission, through a letter sent on the 12th of October 2022, has already directed the affected Mobile Network Operators to reverse the upward tariff adjustment.
“The NCC will carry our further consultations with all industry stakeholders on the best approaches that will protect and uphold the interest of both the consumers and the service providers,” the statement reads.
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