Airtel Nigeria is discussing the necessity of a 100% tariff increase to maintain the telecom sector's sustainability amidst a 300% rise in operational costs.
The Need for Tariff Increase
Dinesh Balsingh, CEO of Airtel Nigeria, explained that approving the proposed 100% tariff hike is crucial for ensuring the long-term sustainability of Nigeria's telecommunications sector. He highlighted that tariffs have remained static over the past decade despite a significant increase in operating expenses.
Economic Situation of the Operator
Balsingh pointed out that mobile operators have faced a 300% increase in operating costs over recent months, making tariff hikes inevitable. This trend is driven by the cost of network upgrades, infrastructure expansion, and software licensing fees. Companies are adapting to the country's economic realities.
Potential Impact on Users
According to Dinesh Balsingh, the tariff increase will enable mobile operators to expand coverage, strengthen network security, and introduce cutting-edge technologies, ultimately improving connectivity quality for users. The Airtel CEO emphasized that adjustments are planned with affordability in mind.
The tariff increase proposal aims to ensure economic sustainability and improve service quality in response to the growing demand for digital services in Nigeria.