BBC Pidgin of Tuesday, 21 January 2025

Source: BBC

Nigerians to pay more for calls and data as govment approve 50% increase telecommunications operators

Dis charges go lead to 50% increase by users of di network Dis charges go lead to 50% increase by users of di network

Di Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) don approve di request by telecommunication operators to adjust tariff rates.

Dis charges go lead to 50% increase by users of di network.

NCC say dis request for increase na sake of di current market conditions wey dey affect di telcom operators.

NCC tok-tok pesin Reuben Muoka for statement e realase on Monday say di approval of di increase dey in accordance to Section 108 of di Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 (NCA).

E add say na di network operators bin make di request and NCC go grant am.

Dis go mean say data bundles and airtime plans go increase for users of di different network providers for Nigeria.

NCC tok say di increase na 50 percent of di current tariffs, but dem go dey review am on case-by-case basis.

"Di adjustment, wey dey at a maximum of 50 per cent of current tariffs, though e dey lower dan di ova 100 per cent wey some network operators bin request, dey arrived at wen dem take into account ongoing industry reforms wey go positively influence sustainability," according to NCC tok tok pesin.

Muoka say di approval dey necessari so dem go fit address di gap between operational cost and current tariffs.

"Di approved adjustment dey aimed to address di significant gap between operational costs and current tariffs while ensuring say di delivery of services to consumers no dey compromised.

NCC say di increase for tariff go help network operators to kontinu to dey invest innovation wey go benefit di consumers through improved services and better network coverage.

"Tariff rates no change since 2013, despite di increasing costs of operation wey telcos face. Dis decision na afta extensive consultations wit key stakeholders across di public and private sectors."



Wetin e mean and wetin fit happun next

Dis new approval mean say tariff plans for data and airtime go increase and network users go begin pay 50% increase for any recharge or subscription wey dem do.

NCC say dem recognize di pressure wey Nigerians and businesses dey face and dem dey sad ontop di new adjustment but e go help greater coverage by network providers.

"Di Commission don mandate say make operators implement dis adjustments transparently and for manner wey dey fair to consumers."

"Operators dey also required to educate and inform di public about di new rates while demonstrating measurable improvements for service delivery."

Dis mean say network providers go begin implement di new tariff for all dia customers.

NCC warn all telecommunication companies to inform dia customers about di new rates.