NCC Partners with KPMG for Telecom Pricing Review

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has initiated a comprehensive review of telecom interconnect pricing in collaboration with KPMG, marking the first significant reassessment of the sector's tariff framework in nearly a decade. This exercise commenced in Lagos with a stakeholder forum on Tuesday, focusing on the wholesale price rules governing payments for completed mobile voice calls across networks.

The current regulatory framework was last set in 2018 and adjusted in 2022, but has been overtaken by structural changes in the market, including the rollout of 5G and the expansion of data-led services. NCC Director Omotayo Moham stated that the review goes beyond routine tariff assessments, reflecting the need to align regulations with the rapidly evolving industry.

The review will examine pricing practices across wholesale and retail segments, assess whether emerging services are adequately captured by existing regulations, and benchmark Nigeria's framework against peer markets like South Africa and Kenya. The process will require operators to submit detailed financial data covering revenue, costs, and market share.