NCC, ATCIS deny plan to increase telecom tariffs in January

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Association of Telephone, Cable TV and Internet Subscribers of Nigeria (ATCIS) have denied any plan to increase telecom tariffs in January 2025.

NCC and ATCIS gave the assurance amid mounting speculation that Nigerians should expect increments in the amount of money they spend to enjoy telecom services across the country.

NCC reportedly advised telecom subscribers to ignore what it described as misinformation regarding the speculated tariff increment.

The Commission restated its commitment to protecting the interests of telecom subscribers, assuring that no tariff increase has been approved in the country.

It reportedly refuted any tariff increments allegedly scheduled to become effective from January 2025, describing such reports as “unfounded and misleading.” It also urged subscribers to disregard the misinformation.

However, there has yet to be any official statement from the telecoms regulatory agency on the reported plan to increase the tariffs on telecom services.

A senior official at NCC, who reportedly spoke on the development on Sunday, said the Commission, as the industry regulator, is strictly operating under a transparent framework guided by the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA), 2003.

According to the senior official, the NCA requires consultations with stakeholders and adherence to due process before any tariff adjustments can be approved in the telecoms sector.

“These rumours are baseless and misleading. The NCC is committed to protecting consumers and ensuring any potential tariff changes are communicated clearly and transparently.

“Subscribers can rest assured that no tariff increase has been approved,” the NCC senior official was quoted as saying.

It called on industry stakeholders, especially the media, to verify information before disseminating such. “There is a need to adhere to accurate reporting to avoid unnecessary public panic,” the NCC senior official reportedly said.

The Commission restated its avowed commitment to protecting consumer rights and interests while ensuring the stability of the telecom industry.

The NCC also assured subscribers that any updates on tariffs or related matters would be disseminated through official channels, including its corporate website, www.ncc.gov.ng.

In a related development, the Association of Telephone, Cable TV and Internet Subscribers of Nigeria (ATCIS) has stated that there is no truth in the speculated plan to increase telecom tariffs in January.

The National President of ATCIS, Mr. Sina Bilesanmi, stated this, noting that the association sought clarification on the issue directly from the NCC on 24 December 2024.

“The NCC confirmed there is no truth to claims of call charges increasing to ₦15.40 per minute from ₦11, SMS charges rising to ₦5.60, or 1GB of data costing ₦1,400 instead of ₦1,000.

“Any changes in tariffs, if necessary, will follow due process and involve input from all stakeholders, including ATCIS. There is no cause for alarm,” Bilesanmi was quoted as saying.

ATCIS is a foremost subscribers’ advocacy body, with over 220 million members across the 36 states of the country.

It is committed to fostering mutual coexistence, promoting fair practices, and defending the rights of telecom subscribers.

Its mission includes endorsing and ensuring the provision of quality products and network services from telecom operators and service providers to its corporate and individual members.

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