The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria has pledged that its member companies will provide all necessary data and information required by the Nigerian Communications Commission and its consultants, KPMG, for the ongoing review of Mobile Termination Rates in Nigeria.
Speaking at the NCC Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum on the Determination of Mobile Termination Rates, Gbenga Adebayo, ALTON chairman, assured stakeholders that operators would cooperate fully throughout the data collection and engagement phases of the exercise.
According to Adebayo, the review represents a critical step towards ensuring a sustainable, competitive and investment-friendly telecommunications sector.
“We are aware that the next phase of the exercise will involve data collection and information gathering. On behalf of our members, I assure the Commission that operators will provide all the necessary information to facilitate the work,” he said.
He described mobile termination rates as a key element of the telecommunications ecosystem, noting that they influence industry sustainability, competition and future investments. He added that periodic reviews are necessary to ensure regulatory benchmarks reflect prevailing economic realities and the actual cost of delivering telecommunications services.
Adebayo expressed confidence that the review would result in a more cost-oriented and transparent regulatory framework capable of supporting long-term industry growth while protecting consumer interests.
He further urged regulators to adopt a more proactive and data-driven approach to industry interventions, rather than waiting until challenges become severe before taking action.
The ALTON chairman also commended the NCC for its recent approval of tariff adjustments for telecommunications operators, describing the decision as a timely intervention that helped stabilise the industry amid rising operational costs.
He recalled concerns raised by operators in 2024 over the financial sustainability of the sector and the risk of service disruptions if urgent measures were not implemented.
According to him, the tariff review has already begun yielding positive results, with telecommunications operators and other industry stakeholders investing approximately N2.18 trillion in capital expenditure in 2025. He disclosed that a further N1.8 trillion investment is projected for 2026.
The investments, he said, are being channelled into network expansion, technology upgrades, cybersecurity enhancement, energy infrastructure, rural connectivity and other strategic initiatives designed to strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy.
“The positive impact of the tariff adjustment is already evident across the sector. From concerns about the health of the industry, we have moved to a position where operators are making substantial investments in network infrastructure and service improvement,” Adebayo said.
He noted that telecommunications remains one of the most strategic sectors of the Nigerian economy, supporting critical services across finance, healthcare, transportation, energy and innovation.
Adebayo reaffirmed ALTON’s commitment to working closely with the NCC, KPMG and other stakeholders to ensure the successful completion of the MTR review and the continued development of the telecommunications industry.
The NCC recently commenced a comprehensive study to review mobile and international termination rates, evaluate existing interconnection arrangements and develop a cost-reflective framework that reflects current market realities, technological advancements and broader macroeconomic conditions.
