By Ijeoma Ilekanachi
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has set $0.045 as the new international termination rate (ITR) for voice calls.
In a statement on Monday, the commission said the new rate which is paid to local operators by overseas telecom carriers to terminate calls in Nigeria, will be effective from January 1, 2022. The new ITR will replace the initial rate of N24.40 which was paid in Naira.
NCC explained that the new rate is to be paid in US dollar to enable Nigerian operators to receive an increasing rate in naira terms to accommodate devaluation. However, Nigerian operators will continue to pay the regulated Mobile Termination rate (MTR), the local termination rate among themselves.
“The $0.045 rate is the floor price for ITR services and shall take effect from January 1, 2022. The rate is to be paid in US Dollar to enable Nigerian operators to receive an increasing rate in Naira terms to accommodate devaluation,” the statement read.
“No licensee shall charge and/or receive effective rate per minute below determined ITR floor rate.
“As such, payment discounts, volume discounts, and any other concession that has the effect of bringing the effective ITR lower than the rate determined shall be deemed a contravention of the new determination and will attract sanctions in line with the Nigerian Communications (Enforcement process, etc.) Regulations, 2019.”
