Afrigather 
Telecommunication companies have introduced that Nigerians might quickly be paying completely different costs in several states for calls, information, SMS, and different telecommunication providers.
In accordance with the telcos, this measure is to mitigate towards a number of taxation and enterprise environments throughout completely different states.
They acknowledged that it was not acceptable for Nigeria to proceed to have one nationwide tariff since the price of offering service throughout the states was completely different.
The Chairman, Affiliation of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria, Mr Gbenga Adebayo, disclosed this in Lagos throughout his goodwill deal with at ‘The Nigeria eGovernment Summit 2023’ themed, ‘eGovernment: Pathway to a affluent nation,’ on Thursday.
He mentioned, “We have now been speaking about a number of taxation for a few years. It will not be acceptable to proceed to have one nationwide tariff as a result of if the price of offering providers in a single area is excessive, providers in that area ought to mirror the price of service provision.
“You probably have a state that has launched 50 completely different taxes for the operator, the telcos must move it on to the subscribers there. In any other case, we might stay on this subject for a few years to come back.”
Increasing on the difficulty additional on the sidelines of the occasion, the Chairman of the umbrella affiliation for telcos revealed that the Nigerian Communications Fee is conscious of this new demand. He careworn that it’s the approach ahead for the telcos.
Adebayo mentioned, “We’re offering the NCC with information to again up this demand, however it’s a path that we should go. It’s the solely technique to mitigate towards the multiplicity of taxes that exist as a result of in some circumstances price of rolling out providers is dearer.”
He mentioned that the present pricing regime for telecom service was unfair to states that supplied a shiny and pleasant enterprise atmosphere.
In accordance with him, “It is going to be unfair on states that present a shiny pleasant enterprise atmosphere to pay as a lot as states which have excessive hostility towards service suppliers. And we imagine that the time has come. It isn’t accomplished wherever on this planet.
“Throughout completely different geographical areas, tariff varies. Should you go away Lagos for Benin as an illustration, you’ll pay a unique tariff. It’s the identical phone service, however it’s as a result of rules and guidelines in these areas differ. This is the reason end-user charges differ. So, we’re saying that the time for a nationwide tariff is gone. At the moment’s actuality wants a brand new strategy.”
When carried out, this transfer will be sure that tariffs for telecom providers throughout Nigeria will fluctuate, making the worth of calls larger or cheaper relying on location. Adebayo famous that this transfer was depending on the NCC’s approval and can be carried out if and when it’s given the nod
The telecom affiliation chairman famous that the business (telecoms) was anticipated to satisfy with the brand new Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Financial system, Dr. Bosun Tijani, within the subsequent couple of days to debate his agenda.
