Telecommunications giants in Nigeria, including Glo, MTN, Airtel, and 9Mobile, are urging the federal government to facilitate constructive dialogue in the industry.
According to the telcos, the current price control mechanism does not align with economic realities, necessitating government intervention to address pricing challenges.
In a joint statement by the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) on Thursday, the four companies highlighted the need for a pricing framework adjustment.
ALTON Chairman, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, and ATCON President, Mr. Tony Emoekpere, emphasized that regulatory constraints have prevented price adjustments despite economic hardships.
They stated, “For a fully liberalized and deregulated sector, the current price control mechanism, which is not aligned with economic realities, threatens the industry’s sustainability and can erode investors’ confidence.”
“Despite the adverse economic headwinds, the telecommunications industry remains the only industry yet to review its general service pricing framework upward in the last 11 years, primarily due to regulatory constraints.”
The telcos also expressed concerns about the worsening security challenges affecting service productivity, urging the federal government to implement measures to tackle the menace.
They emphasized the pivotal role of telecom infrastructure in Nigeria’s national security and socioeconomic growth, advocating for enhanced protection measures and collaboration with law enforcement agencies to combat vandalism effectively.
Furthermore, the industry called for substantial investments in network expansion, maintenance, and technology upgrades to meet evolving demands.
