ATICEN Urges Telecommunications Subscribers To Have A Better Understanding Of The Rationale For The 50% Increase In Tariff In The National Network
By Cyber Era NG Correspondent
The President of the Association of Telecommunications, Information Technology, Cable Satellite Network Operators and Allied Services Employers’ of Nigeria (ATICEN), Comrade Adede John Williams, has commended the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy Dr. Bosun Tijani and the EVC/CEO of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maina for taking proactive measures towards the Telecommunications tariffs hike in Nigeria, as this will further ensure the operational sustainability of the telecommunications operators in Nigeria.
Comrade Adede also called on the subscribers, stakeholders, and consumers alike that made up the eco-value chain, who formed a stern part of the telecommunications ecosystem, to see the need to have a better understanding regarding the tariff adjustment with a 50 per cent increment by the NCC, as the industry regulator based its decision on the reality of the financial pressures confronted by the mobile network operators (MNOs), due to the rising inflation, energy costs, operational costs and currency devaluation faced in the country.
Adede equally urged the telecommunications network subscribers and consumers to always have the interests of telecommunications operators at heart for the sustainability of the industry, since the industry regulator was always protecting the consumer’s rights.
The ATICEN boss also emphasized the foremost role the telecommunications sector and the ICTs subsector played in Nigeria’s economy through its contributions to foreign direct investment (FDI) and GDP growth.
He further stated that aside from the Oil and Gas industry, the telecommunications industry was the only sector attracting significant investment growth and Nigerians shouldn’t allow it to collapse by way of destructive criticism.
Said he: “We hereby support the tariff adjustment in order to prevent the telecommunications sector from crumpling and to foster economic growth. As the industry’s mouthpiece for the operators, going forward, we assured Nigerians that there shall be more improved service delivery as requested by the subscribers and as always maintained by the operators.”
In conclusion, he said, together, I believe, we could achieve even more momentous milestones in the telecommunications industry if we welcomed what I would call, “All-Hands-On-Deck collaboration” among stakeholders and players in the industry and not the “Pull-Others-Down Syndrome.” he added.
