Airtel Nigeria’s Chief Government Officer, Dinesh Balsingh, has mentioned that the 300 per cent surge in operational value within the final 18 to 24 months has made tariff changes obligatory for the long-term sustainability of the telecom sector.
In a notice shared with The PUNCH on Monday, Balsingh highlighted the robust financial realities dealing with the telecom trade.
He identified that tariffs have remained static for over a decade regardless of vital will increase in working bills.
Nigerian telcos have submitted their proposal for a 100 per cent tariff enhance to the Nigerian Communications Fee, the nation’s telecom regulator.
In line with Balsingh, the proposed tariff changes purpose to make sure the sector’s sustainability whereas delivering vital advantages for Nigerian customers.
“For over a decade, tariffs have remained static regardless of the dramatic enhance in working bills, which have surged by over 300 per cent within the final 18 to 24 months alone.
“To proceed offering high-quality companies and assembly the rising demand for digital connectivity, it has develop into important to realign our pricing construction with financial realities,” Balsingh emphasised.
The chief additionally outlined the substantial investments required to take care of and broaden telecommunications infrastructure.
He famous that the growing demand for digital companies throughout sectors similar to schooling, banking, and healthcare requires steady community upgrades to ship better capability and improved service high quality.
“The growing demand for digital companies requires us to repeatedly improve our networks. These investments come at a value, one which should be shared proportionally to ensure long-term viability,” Balsingh added.
The proposed tariff changes, he mentioned, is not going to solely make sure the sector’s sustainability but in addition deliver vital enhancements to service supply.
“By enabling us to broaden protection, strengthen community safety, and introduce cutting-edge applied sciences, these changes will instantly improve the standard of connectivity for Nigerians. Our precedence is to make sure that nobody is left behind within the nation’s digital transformation journey,” he defined.
Balsingh emphasised that the tariff adjustments could be carried out with affordability in thoughts, aiming to reduce the impression on customers.
He reaffirmed Airtel’s dedication to supporting Nigeria’s imaginative and prescient of changing into a digital economic system chief in Africa, driving innovation, and fostering inclusive progress.
“Our dedication to high quality service stays unwavering,” Balsingh mentioned. “Whereas vital tariff changes have develop into obligatory, we perceive the significance of gradual implementation to help our prospects’ monetary positions.
“This step will allow us to put money into capability, broaden protection, and improve service supply, guaranteeing Nigeria stays aggressive within the world digital panorama.”