Nigerian telecom providers, Glo, MTN, Airtel, and 9Mobile, are requesting that the federal government encourage positive communication within the sector.
The telecoms claim that the existing price control system is out of step with the realities of the economy and are thus calling for government intervention to address pricing issues.
The four telecom behemoths claimed they were the only ones who had not examined their rates, endangering the long-term viability of the sector and perhaps undermining investor trust.
This was made known in a joint statement by the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) on Thursday.
The joint statement from ATCON President Tony Emoekpere and ALTON Chairman Gbenga Adebayo states that no general service pricing framework has been raised in the previous 11 years.
They said: “For a fully liberalised and deregulated sector, the current price control mechanism, which is not aligned with economic realities, threatens the industry’s sustainability and can erode investors’ confidence.
“Despite the adverse economic headwinds, the telecommunications industry remains the only industry yet to review its general service pricing framework upward in the last 11 years, primarily due to regulatory constraints.
“Government needs to facilitate a constructive dialogue with industry stakeholders to address pricing challenges and establish a framework that balances consumers’ affordability with operators’ financial viability.”
The telcos also voiced their concerns about the growing security threats that are compromising the efficiency of the services offered, and they urged the federal government to take action against the threat.
“Telecom infrastructure undisputedly plays a pivotal role in Nigeria’s national security and socioeconomic growth, especially as the country currently contends with multiple security challenges that require urgent and immediate actions in response to these threats.
“Attacks on cell towers, fibre optic cables, and other critical assets disrupt telecommunications services and result in significant financial losses for operators. We urge the government to prioritise the security of telecommunications infrastructure and collaborate with law enforcement agencies to enhance protection measures and combat vandalism and sabotage effectively.
“The industry also requires substantial investments in network expansion, maintenance, and technology upgrades,” they said.
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