Why telecoms, internet costs are still high -Minister

She disclosed this in Abuja on Thursday during the commemoration of the 2014 World Telecommunication and Information Society Day.The minister said when agencies of government slam charges on the operators they in turn pass it over to the subscribers because “they are in business to make profits”.Only few state governments have rescinded their tax policy […]

She disclosed this in Abuja on Thursday during the commemoration of the 2014 World Telecommunication and Information Society Day.
The minister said when agencies of government slam charges on the operators they in turn pass it over to the subscribers because “they are in business to make profits”.
Only few state governments have rescinded their tax policy on telecoms infrastructure but the ministry still won’t relent until all of them do so, she said.
She added that theft and vandalism of infrastructure as well as non-stable power supply are also affecting the ability of the operators to bring down prices and quality of services.
“But we are working to bring down prices; government is solving the problem gradually”, she said.
On broadband connectivity, Dr Johnson said federal government is intensifying efforts at achieving its plan to see more than five-fold increase in internet and broadband penetration figures.
“It is also intended that all state capitals and urban cities have metro fibre infrastructure installed. Certain estates and business districts within major cities shall have fibre to the home or premises, whereas, on a national scale, it is the intention of government to facilitate full rollout by operating companies of 3G networks with the potential for immediate transition to 4G/LTE as spectrum becomes available.”