The Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria, ALTON, has raised concerns over ongoing disruptions in the country’s airtime credit market, urging swift resolution of the regulatory dispute involved. The group says the situation threatens consumer welfare, investor confidence, and the credibility of Nigeria’s regulatory environment if left unaddressed.
ALTON Chairman, Gbenga Adebayo, says the issue requires urgent attention from regulators, telecom operators, and the Federal Government. He notes that despite existing court orders and valid licences held by operators, disruptions to airtime credit services persist, affecting millions of users across the country.
Interim injunctions by the Federal High Courts in Lagos and Abuja had restrained interference in the operations of licensed Value Added Service providers, including Nairtime Nigeria Limited and members of the Wireless Application Service Providers Association of Nigeria. However, the continued suspension of services during this period has raised concerns about regulatory coordination.
At the centre of the dispute are overlapping mandates between the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission and the Nigerian Communications Commission. ALTON maintains that the telecom regulator has primary authority over the sector and warns that prolonged uncertainty could disrupt a market valued between three hundred and four hundred billion naira annually, while also discouraging critical investment in Nigeria’s digital infrastructure.
Leave feedback about this
You must be logged in to post a comment.