Why We Approved Tariff Adjustments For Operators—NCC

<h4>Why We Approved Tariff Adjustments<&sol;h4>&NewLine;<p>&nbsp&semi;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p><strong><a href&equals;"https&colon;&sol;&sol;openlife&period;ng&sol;">OpenLife Nigeria<&sol;a><&sol;strong> reports that the Nigerian Communications Commission &lpar;NCC&rpar;&comma; pursuant to its power under Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act&comma; 2003 &lpar;NCA&rpar; to regulate and approve tariff rates and charges by telecommunications operators&comma; will be granting approval for tariff adjustment requests by Network Operators in response to prevailing market conditions&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>This is contained in a statement signed by Reuben Muoka&comma; Director&comma; Public Affairs of NCC and made available to OpenLife&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>According to the statement&comma; the adjustment&comma; capped at a maximum of 50 per cent of current tariffs&comma; though lower than the over 100 per cent requested by some network operators&comma; was arrived at taking into account ongoing industry reforms that will positively influence sustainability&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>These adjustments will remain within the tariff bands stipulated in the 2013 NCC Cost Study&comma; and requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis as is the Commission&&num;8217&semi;s standard practice for tariff reviews&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>It will be implemented in strict adherence to the recently issued NCC Guidance on Tariff Simplification&comma; 2024&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>Tariff rates have remained static since 2013&comma; despite the increasing costs of operation faced by telecom operators&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>The approved adjustment is aimed at addressing the significant gap between operational costs and current tariffs while ensuring that the delivery of services to consumers is not compromised&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>These adjustments will support the ability of operators to continue investing in infrastructure and innovation&comma; ultimately benefiting consumers through improved services and connectivity&comma; including better network quality&comma; enhanced customer service&comma; and greater coverage&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>Recognising the concerns of the public&comma; this decision was made after extensive consultations with key stakeholders across the public and private sectors&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>The NCC has prioritised striking a balance between protecting telecom consumers and ensuring the sustainability of the industry&comma; including the thousands of indigenous vendors and suppliers who form a critical part of the telecommunications ecosystem&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>The NCC recognises the financial pressures faced by Nigerian households and businesses and remains deeply empathetic to the impact of tariff adjustments&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>To this end&comma; the Commission has mandated that operators implement these adjustments transparently and in a manner that is fair to consumers&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>Operators are also required to educate and inform the public about the new rates while demonstrating measurable improvements in service delivery&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>Additionally&comma; the NCC reaffirms its dedication to fostering a resilient&comma; innovative&comma; and inclusive telecommunications sector&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>Beyond protecting consumers&comma; the Commission’s actions are designed to ensure the long-term sustainability of the industry&comma; support indigenous vendors and suppliers&comma; and promote the overall growth of Nigeria’s digital economy&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>As a regulator&comma; the NCC will continue to engage with stakeholders to create a telecommunications environment that works for everyone—one that protects consumers&comma; supports operators&comma; and sustains the ecosystem that drives connectivity across the nation&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;