Certain social media companies are unfavourable for Nigeria’s telecom industry, MTN reveals

By Akinwande OnadekoMTN, Africa’s largest telecommunication firm has revealed that the activities of certain social media companies such as Whatsapp, Viber places the sustainability of the nation’s telecoms sector at a disadvantage.This was announced by the company’s CEO, Ferdinand Moolman at a presentational hearing convened by Senate Committee on Communications.The hearing was organized following the suspension of proposed data increase by NCC.Mr. Moolman highlighted the presence of Whatsapp, Viber as companies which leached away the gains of Nigeria’s telecoms companies and urged the country to take action just like the United Arab Emirates did.Also at the hearing, NCC director, Umar Dambatta said the move made by the commission to increase data rates was to allow competition, however, the Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu said he wasn’t consulted by the commission before issuing the directive.However, Globacom, another telecom firm said floor pricing should be left to market forces and not regulators.