The Nigerian Communications Commission NCC, yesterday, officially admitted receiving a letter from telecommunications operators requesting for tariff increment.
However, the commission quickly allayed fears that such threats could be carried out because, accordingly, even the operators know that the issue of tariff increment follows a rigorous cost-based study which has a due process.
The Commission ensures that any cost determined, as an outcome of such transparent studies is fair enough as to enhance healthy competition among operators, provide wider choices for the subscribers as well as ensure sustainability of the Nigerian telecoms industry.
“For the avoidance of any doubt, and contrary to MNOs’ agitation to increase tariffs for voice and Short Messaging Services (SMS) by a certain percentage, the Commission wishes to categorically inform telecoms subscribers and allay the fears of Nigerians that no tariff increase will be effected by the operators without due regulatory approval by the Commission.
“The current tarriff regime being administered by the service providers is a product of NCC’s determination both for voice and SMS in the past” .The Statement, however, said that while there could be justifiable reasons for telcos’ demand for tarrif increase, it should be noted that they are not allowed to do such either individually or collectively without recourse to NCC, following the outcome of a cost study.
