Telcos to raise rates: ALTON chairman

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Telecommunications operators have threatened to raise their tariffs due to the rising cost of doing business and the security of telecommunications infrastructure in the country.

“We are concerned that unless there is intervention to save this sector, operators will have no choice but to start a process of revising prices,” the chairman of the association said on Thursday. Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, Lagos.

“Operators are very concerned about the rising cost of diesel and its implications for the overall cost of doing business,” Adebayo noted.

The operators said they were considering varying the tariffs of some hostile telecom states in order to meet their demands.

Mr Adebayo told reporters in Lagos that the high cost of energy and the safety of telecom workers hampered his operations.

He said the government needs to do a lot more to keep the nation safe and keep telecom workers safe.

“We reaffirm our commitment to work with security agencies to secure the necessary support for national security.

“We now need protection from sub-national governments and agencies to stop interference in the proper functioning of telecommunications services,” he said.

Speaking of Kogi State, the association expressed concern over the closure of telecom facilities in the state due to disputes arising from unusual taxes and levies demanded by the Kogi State Revenue Service (KIRS).

Mr Adebayo said: “KIRS’ action was based on an ex parte court order obtained by KIRS on unsubstantiated allegations that our members are in default of paying taxes to the state government, which does not is not the truth.”

He said operators had been denied access to critical telecommunications sites.

“This issue is likely to result in complete communication blackout throughout Kogi State, parts of Abuja and possibly impact service availability in parts of the following states: Nassarawa, Benue, Enugu , Anambra, Edo, Ondo, Ekiti, Kwara, and Niger. These are states that share borders with Kogi,” he said.

He said it would also negatively impact the use of critical communications infrastructure by national and state security agencies in carrying out their responsibilities.

(NOPE)

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