The Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in the country have declared that they followed due process in achieving the 50 per cent telecoms tariff hike as approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) reports ITREALMS.
He also denied any atom of arbitrariness in the exercise which took over 12 years in coming since the last tariff upward adjustment was made in the sector.
Speaking through the umbrella body of MNOs in the country, Tuesday on Arise TV’s Global Business Report monitored in Lagos, the chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, insisted they met all the procedure for tariff hike in line with the Communications Act 2003.
The fact, ALTON chair said, is that the industry faces significantly higher economic headwinds, like other sectors of the economy, and what we have done is to approach government with rates that are sustainable and commensurate with the cost of providing services.
“We sought for an increase in tariff to reflect our cost of providing services, and graciously, they granted a 50% review, and that's where we are,” he said.
For him, “if someone is coming to say it is arbitrary, I don't know the basis on which they are saying that this is unconstitutional. I don't know how that's come about, because we haven't done anything against the provisions of the Communications Act, 2003. We followed all processes and procedures laid down to seek authority review.
Stressing that “Now, I don't know what is the illegality in that, and I don't know what is the basis for the arbitrary nature of a review that someone is talking about,” he wondered.
Adebayo also pointed out that the government and especially the regulator, does not determine prices.
“They only regulate based on market forces and based on what we presented to them. What we have done is to approach our regulator showing them more current economic indixes, factors of cost and production with us. We sought for an increase in tariff to reflect our cost of providing services, and graciously, they granted a 50% review, and that's where we are,” he maintained.
Remmy Nweke/DoP
Speaking through the umbrella body of MNOs in the country, Tuesday on Arise TV’s Global Business Report monitored in Lagos, the chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, insisted they met all the procedure for tariff hike in line with the Communications Act 2003.
The fact, ALTON chair said, is that the industry faces significantly higher economic headwinds, like other sectors of the economy, and what we have done is to approach government with rates that are sustainable and commensurate with the cost of providing services.
“We sought for an increase in tariff to reflect our cost of providing services, and graciously, they granted a 50% review, and that's where we are,” he said.
For him, “if someone is coming to say it is arbitrary, I don't know the basis on which they are saying that this is unconstitutional. I don't know how that's come about, because we haven't done anything against the provisions of the Communications Act, 2003. We followed all processes and procedures laid down to seek authority review.
Stressing that “Now, I don't know what is the illegality in that, and I don't know what is the basis for the arbitrary nature of a review that someone is talking about,” he wondered.
Adebayo also pointed out that the government and especially the regulator, does not determine prices.
“They only regulate based on market forces and based on what we presented to them. What we have done is to approach our regulator showing them more current economic indixes, factors of cost and production with us. We sought for an increase in tariff to reflect our cost of providing services, and graciously, they granted a 50% review, and that's where we are,” he maintained.
Remmy Nweke/DoP
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