Telecom operators seek state-based pricing, ‘higher rates in tough states’
Nigeria’s Telecommunications operators are considering shifting from the current national tariff structure to a regional tariff regime that accounts for state-specific operational challenges.
This proposal was discussed at the 7th edition of the Policy Implementation Assisted Forum (PIAFo) in Lagos, where industry leaders highlighted the need for a pricing model that reflects the ease—or difficulty—of doing business in each state.
The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators Chairman of Nigeria (ALTON), Engr. Gbenga Adebayo emphasized that some states impose significant operational hurdles on telecom providers. He suggested that these difficulties should be reflected in the cost of service delivery.
“We may have to reconsider our national tariffs and look at regional tariffs. If the cost of doing business is high in a particular state and negotiations are impossible, then the cost of deployment in those areas should be factored into service pricing,” Adebayo stated.
Regional cost disparities
Supporting this stance, the President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Mr. Tony Emoekpere, argued that a uniform national tariff is unfair, as different regions present varying operational costs.
He noted that multiple taxation and attacks on telecom infrastructure in some states significantly increase costs. According to him, states that facilitate business-friendly environments should benefit from lower tariffs, while those imposing challenges should bear higher costs.
“If it costs me extra to haul diesel from one part of the country to another, I should be able to add that cost to the service or be compensated by a more attractive business environment,” Emoekpere said.
The discussion comes amid broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy. The convener of PIAFo, Mr. Omobayo Azeez, underscored the importance of collaboration in protecting critical telecommunications infrastructure.
He also highlighted the recent passage of the Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Order by President Bola Tinubu as a key step in securing the country’s digital ecosystem.
If implemented, the regional tariff model could reshape telecom pricing, ensuring that costs reflect the realities of each state’s business climate.
