Telecoms subscribers have started paying more
for calls and data services as the Federal government begins the implementation
of the 7.5 per cent VAT February 01, 2020. The new VAT was increased from five
per cent.
The Association of Licensed Telecommunications
Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) confirmed this in a joint statement signed by its
Chairman, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo and Head of Operations, Mr. Gbolahan Awonuga.
The statement was
issued to notify the subscribers across all the networks of implementation of
the VAT increase effective February 1.
According to ALTON, purchases of
telecommunication products and services will be affected by the implementation
of the VAT increase. ALTON said the VAT increase would reflect on the charges
of phone calls, text messages and data for internet in Nigeria.
“Further to the assent of the Finance Bill by President Muhammadu Buhari, which reviewed the Value Added Tax from five per cent to 7.5 per cent, ALTON wishes to notify consumers that our members will begin applying the new rate on all purchased telecommunication products and services with effect from February 01, 2020,” it announced.
ALTON, however,
gave the assurance that its members will adhere to tariff transparency and
quality service delivery in implementing the VAT increase.