NCC Denies Telecom Tariff Hikes, Emphasizes Indigenous Content for Sustainable Telecom Growth in Nigeria |
| Nigerian Communications Commission Denies Telecom Tariff Hikes: Clarification on Tariff Plans and Industry Updates Image credit: Naijadirectory |
NCC Refutes New Tariff Hikes
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has issued a clarification stating that it has not approved any new telecom tariff plans or hikes, contrary to recent online reports. This announcement aims to clear up misinformation circulating about changes in the telecom industry's pricing structure.
Addressing the Misinformation
The misinformation suggested that the Commission had introduced new tariff plans and pricing rules, purportedly outlined in a document titled “Guidance on the Simplification of Tariffs in the Nigerian Communications Sector,” attributed to Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO. Dr. Aminu Maida responded to these claims, stating, “Like the others, this is FAKE NEWS! The Commission has neither approved any Telecom Tariff plans nor hike as this report claims.”
NCC's Commitment to Transparency
The accurate position, according to the NCC, is its focus on simplifying existing tariff plans to provide greater transparency and fairness for consumers, without introducing new tariffs or hikes. The Commission emphasized that no new tariff plans or pricing updates have been approved, flagging the aforementioned post on its X page as fake news.
The Backstory of the Misinformation
The misleading post claimed that the NCC had introduced new tariff plans and pricing rules, supposedly outlined in the document “Guidance on the Simplification of Tariffs in the Nigerian Communications Sector,” signed by Dr. Aminu Maida. It was alleged that this approval was effective from July 29, 2024, mandating all licensed operators to adhere to these new rules, designed to simplify the pricing structure for various telecom services.
NCC's Emphasis on Indigenous Content
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has emphasized the importance of developing indigenous content to avoid an increase in telecom tariffs. This focus was highlighted by NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Umar Danbatta, during the Nigerian Telecommunications Indigenous Content Expo (NTICE 2023). Despite rising costs and forex instability, telecom tariffs have remained stable, but an increase might become unavoidable if the sector continues to rely on imported components.
Achievements and Future Goals
Prof. Danbatta noted the need for greater local content involvement to maintain and improve the quality of telecom services in Nigeria. The Nigeria Office for Development of Indigenous Telecoms Sector (NODITS), established in July 2021, has made significant strides in manufacturing, human capacity, R&D, and software development. Achievements include the successful NTICE event, manufacturing of Corrugated Optical Duct (COD) for fiber protection, support for small businesses and innovators, and promoting local SIM card manufacturing.
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