We Can’t Keep Going Like This” – Telecoms Operators Reveal Why Call, Data Tariffs Must Go Up In 2025

Telecom operators in Nigeria have reiterated that increases in tariffs for calls, data, and other services are essential in 2025 to ensure the survival of their businesses.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The operators explained that the current rates are no longer viable given the existing economic conditions.

This statement follows reports that operators are awaiting approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to raise prices for calls, SMS, and internet bundles.

Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), made this statement during an end-of-year gathering of industry stakeholders in Lagos on Sunday.

He stressed that the telecom sector is on the brink of collapse and needs an urgent tariff increase to avoid total failure.

In his speech titled ‘Before the Final Call: Telecom as a Sector Under Siege,’ Adebayo emphasized the urgency of the situation, asserting that delays in decision-making could lead to service disruptions if operators are forced to continue operating under current rates.

“This is not the time for delay. The survival of the telecom sector requires immediate, bold action to ensure its sustainability. Tariffs must be adjusted to reflect the economic realities of providing telecom services, or we will no longer be able to guarantee service availability,” he stated.

He further called for immediate reform, warning that without swift action, the telecom industry’s future will remain uncertain. “We are in the final days of survival for this sector. If we don’t act now, the prospects for a better 2025 will remain a mere hope,” he added.

Adebayo listed several challenges facing the telecom sector, including rising operational costs, soaring energy prices, ongoing inflation, and fluctuating exchange rates. Despite these pressures, telecom tariffs have remained unchanged, putting operators in a critical financial position.

He concluded by urging immediate action to avoid further risks, stating, “The time to act is now. ALTON is ready to collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure the sector’s survival and prosperity.”