NCC Approves 50% Hike in Data, Call, and SMS Tariffs Amidst Subscriber Backlash

Nigerians are to pay more for data, calls and Short Message Service (SMS), following the 50 per cent hike in end-user tariffs approved for service providers by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) yesterday.
The nod, which was half of the Mobile Network Operators’ (MNOs’) demand, came shortly after a virtual meeting of Industry Consumer Advisory Forum (IACF), which is an advisory body of the NCC.
The meeting, which had in attendance the Minister of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, began 10.30am and lasted till 12.25pm.
But, subscribers kicked against the hike, which they described as an overkill. ICAF provides recommendations on issues affecting consumers of ICT.
The increase followed a persistent push by MNOs and other stakeholders for the government to consider the inflation rates in the country and give approval for 100 per cent adjustment of the tariff on data, calls and SMS messages.
The MNOs argued that the withdrawal of petrol subsidy and the devaluation of the naira have precipitated an increase in the cost of services within the industry and other market realities.
NCC said it granted the approval “pursuant to its power under Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 (NCA) to regulate and approve tariff rates and charges by telecommunications operators.
“The adjustment, capped at a maximum of 50 per cent of current tariffs, though lower than the over 100 per cent requested by some network operators, was arrived at taking into account ongoing industry reforms that will positively influence sustainability.”
In a pushback, both the Association of Cable Tvs, Internet and Telecom Subscribers of Nigeria (ATCIS-Nigeria) and the National Association of Telecom Subscribers of Nigeria (NATCOMS) outright rejected the hike, describing it as insensitive to the plight of struggling Nigerians whose fortunes had declined owing to soaring inflation and fuel subsidy removal.
NATCOMS has resolved to file a fresh suit in court to challenge the “outrageous” hike.
They blamed minister Tijani for approving the 50 per cent hike.