The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), in collaboration with consultancy firm KPMG, has commenced a comprehensive review of telecom interconnection pricing, marking the first major assessment of the sector’s tariff framework in nearly a decade.
The review was launched in Lagos during a stakeholder forum on mobile termination rates, bringing together regulators, telecom operators, and industry players to examine wholesale pricing arrangements between networks.
Mobile Termination Rates (MTRs) are regulated charges paid by one telecom operator to another for completing calls across different networks. They play a key role in competition, investment decisions, and consumer pricing.
The NCC said the existing framework, last reviewed in 2018 and adjusted in 2022, no longer fully reflects changes in the telecom industry, including the expansion of 5G services, growth of data-driven services, and the emergence of mobile virtual network operators.
The commission also highlighted economic pressures such as inflation and currency depreciation, which have significantly affected operators’ costs.
NCC Head of Competition and Tariff Unit, Omotayo Mohammed, said the exercise goes beyond a routine tariff review and aims to align regulations with the rapidly changing telecom environment.
KPMG said the study will involve data analysis, stakeholder consultations, and international comparisons to develop a revised pricing model.
The review will examine wholesale and retail pricing structures, investment capacity, service quality, and consumer affordability.
Telecom operators will be required to provide financial and operational data, including revenue, costs, profitability, market share, capital expenditure, and service trends.
The NCC said the review is expected to produce a transparent and competitive pricing framework that supports infrastructure investment while protecting consumers.
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