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Telecommunications operators have dismissed speculation about an imminent increase in consumer tariffs, stating that ongoing regulatory discussions are focused on wholesale pricing arrangements between network operators rather than subscriber charges.
The clarification was provided by ALTON Chairman Gbenga Adebayo during an interview on Arise Television.
According to Adebayo, the ongoing review by the Nigerian Communications Commission is aimed at determining fair pricing for calls exchanged between telecom operators, particularly when calls originate on one network and terminate on another.
He stressed that there are currently no discussions about increasing tariffs paid by consumers.
“There are no conversations around tariff review at this time, and there are no discussions around upward review of tariffs for our consumers,” Adebayo said.
He explained that the NCC’s review seeks to establish an appropriate wholesale rate that reflects the cost and efficiency of operating telecommunications networks while ensuring a healthy and sustainable industry.
The exercise covers interconnection charges, which are payments made by one operator to another when calls are carried across different networks.
Adebayo said the review also includes international calls that originate outside Nigeria and terminate on local networks, with regulators assessing what constitutes fair pricing for those transactions.
The clarification follows earlier reports suggesting that the NCC was considering a broader tariff review. Industry stakeholders, however, have maintained that the current process relates solely to wholesale pricing mechanisms and does not involve retail tariffs charged to subscribers.
The NCC regularly reviews interconnection and termination rates as part of its responsibility to maintain fair competition and sustainability within Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.
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