Telecoms Operators Urge FG to Address Tariff Review, Regulatory Independence
CHIGOZIE AMADI
The Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), representing Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and telecommunication companies in Nigeria, have called on the federal government to take decisive action in addressing tariff review, regulatory independence and other numerous issues confronting the telecommunications industry.
According to the associations, despite the adverse economic headwinds, the telecommunications industry remains the only industry yet to review its general service pricing framework upward in the last eleven years, primarily due to regulatory constraints. They are of the view that for a fully liberalised 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.
ATCON and ALTON therefore called on the government to facilitate a constructive dialogue with industry stakeholders to address pricing challenges and establish a framework that balances consumers’ affordability with operators’ financial viability.
Members of both bodies who are key stakeholders in the telecoms industry underscored the urgent need for collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors to overcome obstacles hindering the sector’s growth and development.
In a statement released weekend and jointly signed by the Chairman of ALTON, Gbenga Adebayo and the President of ALTON, Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere, they listed the major challenges plaguing the telecoms sector to include unsustainable telecoms tariff framework, lack of regulatory independence, infrastructure deficit, harsh business environment, multiple taxation and regulations and prohibitive Right of Way (RoW) charges, inadequate electric power supply and vandalism of telecommunications infrastructure, among others.
“By fostering a conducive regulatory environment, prioritising infrastructure development, enhancing security measures, and facilitating pricing adjustments, the government can unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s telecommunications sector, driving economic growth and societal development. ALTON and ATCON reaffirms their commitment to working collaboratively with the government to address the challenges facing the telecommunications industry in Nigeria,” the statement said.
In addressing regulatory independence, ALTON and ATCON members are advocating for the sustenance of a culture of independence in the regulatory landscape to safeguard against undue influence and unwholesome incursion into the Nigerian Communications Commission’s domain, which they said, would inspire trust in the telecommunications sector and encourage investment. “Regulatory neutrality and independence are crucial to ensuring a thriving telecommunications sector. Statutory provisions lend credence to this notion, as a lack of an impartial regulator will lead to a failure to maintain public confidence in the objectivity and independence of its decisions,” the statement further said.
