Telecommunication companies under the aegis of Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria, ALTON have recommended an upward adjustment in call and SMS tariffs to cushion the increasing cost of operation in Nigeria.

Making the proposal in a letter to the Nigerian Communications Commission, the association lamented that the cost of doing business in the country had risen by 40 per cent.

The association claimed that the telecommunications industry had been financially harmed by an economic downturn that occured in 2020 and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

They claimed the war had resulted in a 35 per cent increase in their operating expenses due to an increase in energy costs.

“ALTON considers it expedient for the telecommunications sector to undergo periodic cost adjustments through the commission’s intervention in order to minimise the impact of the challenging economic issues faced by our members,” the association said.

ALTON suggested an “upward review of the price determination for voice and data and SMS. Given the state of the economy and the circa 40 per cent increase in the cost of doing business, we wish to request for an interim administrative review of the mobile (voice) termination rate for voice; administrative data floor price, and cost of SMS as reflected in extant instruments.”

This proposal will see the price floor for calls rise from N6.4 to N8.95, while the price cap for SMS will rise from N4 to N5.61.

This development came as business organisations continue to devise means to survive the country’s harsh economic condition.

GTBank reduced operation hours following the incessant increase in the pump price of diesel. Also, First Bank of Nigeria reduced operation hours at some of its branches.