Nigerians might soon experience varying prices for calls, data, SMS, and other telecommunication services in different states, as telecommunication firms propose regional tariffs to address multiple taxation challenges and diverse business environments across the country.
The Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, revealed this development during his address at ‘The Nigeria eGovernment Summit 2023′ in Lagos. He emphasized that maintaining a single national tariff is no longer suitable due to the differing costs of providing services in various states.
Adebayo explained that the proposed regional tariffs aim to mitigate the impact of multiple taxes imposed by different states. He stated, “If you have a state that has introduced 50 different taxes for the operator, the telcos need to pass it on to the subscribers there. Otherwise, we would remain on this issue for many years to come.”
On the sidelines of the event, Adebayo noted that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is aware of this proposal, and telcos are providing data to support the demand. He emphasized that regional tariffs are necessary to address the varying costs of rolling out services across different states.
The current uniform pricing regime is perceived as unfair, as it does not account for the differences in business environments among states. Adebayo stressed that implementing regional tariffs is a global practice, and the telecom industry is seeking the NCC’s approval for this significant shift.
If approved, telecom services’ tariffs across Nigeria will differ based on geographical locations, reflecting the unique regulatory and business environments in each state. Adebayo indicated that discussions on this proposal are ongoing with the NCC, and the industry is expected to meet with the new Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, in the coming days to further discuss the agenda.
