Telecommunications tariffs are set to differ in various parts of Nigeria in accordance with the ease of doing business, according to a proposed plan by operators.

The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) announced the decision at the Telecoms Stakeholders Summit the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) organised in Lagos.

ALTON’s chairman, Engr Gbenga Adebayo, noted that subscribers in the North East and those with multiple tax regimes, multiple regulations, as well as all “unwholesome” practices would pay higher tariffs.

Adebayo said subscribers in states like Lagos, Kwara, Ekiti and Akwa Ibom would pay less, because of their friendly telecoms policies.

He urged other state governments to emulate the example of Lagos State, which he says has come to realise that telecommunications is a socio-economic need rather than merely a source of revenue generation.

Adebayo stressed that the state had reduced the Right of Way charges from N6,000 to N500 per square metre of road.

“This will enable us build a digital Lagos. The state will be ahead of other states,” he said.