Airtel CEO: Tariff hike will enable us to upgrade facilities, expand to more locations

Dinesh Balsingh, chief executive officer (CEO) of Airtel, says the approved 50 percent tariff adjustment will enable the company to upgrade its facilities, and expand to more locations.

On January 20, the NCC approved the request of telecommunications companies (telcos) to increase tariffs after pressure from the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON).

In a statement on Friday, Balsingh said the tariff increase would accelerate investments in infrastructure and enhance digital innovations to ensure a superior customer experience.

The Airtel CEO said the tariff adjustment will provide the financial backing needed to further accelerate investments. 

“Our focus remains on improving coverage, reducing network congestion, and providing seamless connectivity,” he said. 

“This tariff adjustment ensures that we can expand to more locations, upgrade existing sites, and deliver even better service to our customers.”

In line with the NCC’s directive on meeting quality of service (QoS) benchmarks, Balsingh said Airtel is prioritising the enhancement of its network’s reliability, voice quality, and data speed. 

“We fully recognise the need to continuously meet and exceed regulatory standards,” he said.

“We have built a reputation for delivering value, and we are taking every measure to ensure that our customers enjoy uninterrupted, high-quality services. 

“Our goal is to empower businesses, students, and entrepreneurs with the tools they need to succeed in the digital age.”

Balsingh reassured that affordability will not be compromised.

“We understand that customers expect value, which is why we will continue to offer affordable plans while maintaining high service quality,” he said.

The CEO stressed that the telecommunications company is committed to its track record of regulatory compliance.

The Airtel boss said the company will dedicate itself to ensuring the directive is met and also go beyond it through consistent investments in infrastructure and service delivery.

“Airtel takes quality of service very seriously,” Balsingh said.

“This adjustment allows us to double down on investments in our network infrastructure to boost coverage, speed, and reliability. 

“We are committed to ensuring compliance with the NCC’s requirements and will continue to exceed expectations through strategic investments.”

Balsingh noted that investments are “not just about meeting today’s needs but building for the future—one where every Nigerian, no matter their location, has access to world-class telecommunications services”.