NCC dismisses telecom tariff hike rumours, reassures consumers

The Nigerian Communications Commission has dismissed claims of a telecommunications tariff hike allegedly set to take effect in January 2025.

The Commission described the reports as false and unfounded, urging subscribers to disregard the misinformation.

A senior NCC official, speaking to PUNCH on Sunday, emphasised that the regulatory body operates under a transparent framework guided by the Nigerian Communications Act.

According to the official, this framework requires stakeholder consultations and strict adherence to due process before any tariff adjustments are approved.

“These rumours are baseless and misleading. The NCC is committed to protecting consumers and ensuring that any potential tariff changes are communicated clearly and transparently,” the official stated.

“Subscribers can rest assured that no tariff increase has been approved,” he added.

The NCC also appealed to journalists and industry stakeholders to verify information before publication, stressing the importance of accurate reporting to avoid unnecessary public panic.

Reiterating its commitment to consumer interests and the stability of the telecommunications industry, the Commission assured Nigerians that updates on tariffs or related matters would always be communicated through official channels.

The Association of Telephone, Cable TV, and Internet Subscribers of Nigeria also addressed the rumours.

Speaking in Lagos, ATCIS National President, Mr Sina Bilesanmi, stated that the association sought clarification directly from the NCC on December 24, 2024.

“The NCC confirmed there is no truth to claims of call charges increasing to N15.40 per minute from N11, SMS charges rising to N5.60, or 1GB of data costing N1,400 instead of N1,000.

“Any changes in tariffs, if necessary, will follow due process and involve input from all stakeholders, including ATCIS. There is no cause for alarm,” Bilesanmi said.

Both the NCC and ATCIS emphasised their commitment to consumer protection and urged subscribers to rely on verified information from credible sources.