GSM Operators Bent on Retaining High Tariffs
The unhealthy battle between GSM mobile phone users and operators, MTN and ECONET have become predominantly, a disturbing issue. The GSM operators have persistently
defended why they can not bring down their tariffs. Given reasons to justify their high tariffs, they said that, there is no way they can reduce their tariffs from what obtains now.
This argument came against the backdrop of renewed calls by interest groups and users for reduction of GSM tariffs in Nigeria.
The operators put up a defense with comparative figures drawn from global networks to argue that such calls were immature and not supported by the economies of scale.
Their arguments were base on the fact that the Nigerian rates were not the highest in the world and that the trend is that new networks start operation with higher rate and begin a downswing years later.
They added that the cost of operating in Nigeria does not favor an immediate slashing of rates as anticipated.
While noting that reduction in subscription rates have begun to go down considerably, they did not foreclose a possible slash in airtime charges something next year
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