Telecom Subscribers Reject Alleged Telecom Tariff Hike

The National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS) has strongly opposed the reported hike in telecom tariffs. The association has urged the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to revoke any approval granted for the increase, highlighting the need to safeguard subscribers’ interests.

NATCOMS made this known in a communiqué issued by its National Exco after it held an emergency meeting on the planned tariff hike of telecommunication services in the country.

The communiqué, signed by its National President, Adeolu Ogunbanjo, and the National Secretary, Bayo Omotubora, also advised operators to explore other funding options.

According to the duo, the new increment would make telecommunication services 40 percent more expensive and attract a 12.5 percent tax rate, pricing two-thirds of telecom service subscribers out of the market.

“Under the new tariff regime, a voice call will rise from N11.00 to N15.40 per minute, and short message services will jump from N4.00 to N5.60.

“One GB data bundle will move from N1,000 to N1,400. This represents additional digital costs consumers will have to face at the beginning of a new year, among other harsh economic realities of Nigeria today.

“This is a complete negation of the statutory duty of NCC to protect the interests of telecom service consumers.

“We are aware of the arguments of the telecom operators that there has not been any tariff increment in a decade, multiple levies slammed on them by different tiers of government, and the dollarization costs of their equipment.

“But truth be told, there are many other avenues through which the operators can generate funds to meet their rising operational costs without putting an unbearable burden on their consumers.

“This association considers the decision of the NCC as very insensitive and not in the interest of telecom services consumers.

“The unrelenting rise in prices of goods and services in the country has made life extremely difficult for the generality of citizens who are the consumers of telecom services.

“The new increment is therefore one additional burden too many.”

NATCOMS noted that telecom services were taxable services under the Value Added Tax Act amended in 2019, by the Finance Act to raise the tax rate from 5 percent to 7.5 percent.

“That increment brought about untold hardship to our members, many of whom have been forced to cut back on their telecommunication requirements.”

The association urged the NCC to reconsider its decision in the interest of the generality of citizens.

NAN/Chidimma Gold