The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) on Monday warned that its members would start service shedding if the current tariff is not increased.
The Chairman of ALTON, Mr Gbenga Adebayo, in a statement issued in Lagos, said the Nigerian telecommunications industry was facing a critical challenge that required urgent attention.
The service shedding, according to Adebayo, will affect both call and Internet services, and millions of Nigerians will be disconnected as a result.
The ALTON Chairman further stressed that telecoms operators were struggling to survive due to rising operational costs and stagnant tariffs in the Nigerian telecoms sector.
“As we reflect on the end of the year 2024, there is a need to issue an urgent and critical call to action for the future of our telecommunications industry.
“The survival of the sector demands immediate and bold reform for its sustainability. Tariffs must be reviewed to reflect the economic realities of delivering telecoms services at a minimum for industry sustainability,” Adebayo said.
He, however, warned that without this review, operators will not be able to guarantee service availability, which he said would affect the sector adversely.
The ALTON boss highlighted some consequences, including service shedding, economic fallout, and national economic disruption.
He pointed out that service shedding by implication means that operators may not be able to provide services in some areas and at some times of the day, leaving millions of Nigerians disconnected.
This, according to him, will have significant economic fallout, as businesses will suffer from a lack of connectivity, stalling growth and innovation.
Adebayo further warned of national economic disruption, noting that key sectors like security, commerce, healthcare, and education, which rely heavily on telecoms infrastructure, would face serious disruptions.
Adebayo stressed that the challenges facing the industry are not new, adding that they had become more acute and more threatening with the passing year.
He expressed optimism that stakeholders would come together to uphold the values and importance of telecommunications in society.
He reaffirmed ALTON’s readiness to work with all stakeholders to ensure the sector’s survival and prosperity.
“Let this be the moment when we come together, acknowledge the urgency of the situation, and commit to saving this sector. If we fail to act, history will record that we had countless warnings, yet we allowed inaction to jeopardise one of the most critical pillars of Nigeria’s development.
“If we succeed, 2025 can be the year we turn things around, a year of hope, resilience, and sustainability for the telecoms industry,” Adebayo added.
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