These Are People On Social Media who Will Benefit From New Telecom Tariff
It is no longer news that, after 12 years, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has approved a 50% tariff adjustment for players in the telecom industry.
The approved rate, which the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, attributes to global inflation and rising operational costs, is a reduction from the 100% initially proposed by telcos under the banner of the Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators in Nigeria (ALTON).
As the new telecom tariff takes effect, experts in the sector have identified five categories of people on social media who stand to benefit from the adjustment.
At the top of the list are YouTubers, TikTokers, Instagram influencers, skit makers, and Facebook content creators who earn money through ads, brand deals, and sponsorships.
They rely on stable internet for live streaming, video uploads, and audience engagement. With the new tariff, telcos are expected to recover from inflation-induced losses and invest in improved services such as better internet quality, enhanced social media algorithms, and wider reach.
For content creators, the anticipated benefits include faster uploads, seamless live streams with minimal disruptions, more reliable engagement tracking, and higher advertising revenue. “For example, a YouTuber can upload high-quality videos faster, increasing their chances of earning from ads, while Instagram and TikTok influencers can engage with brands in real time, boosting their profiles and earnings,” a source pointed out.
Also benefiting from the adjustment are entrepreneurs selling products via Instagram, Facebook Marketplace, WhatsApp, Jumia, Konga, and other platforms. Since they rely on social media for customer interactions, orders, and payments, enhanced telecom services resulting from the new tariff will play strongly to their advantage.
“The tariff means more revenue for telcos to invest in operations as they compete to outperform one another with added value in a bid to enlarge market shares,” an expert explained. “This translates to stronger networks for faster transaction processing and payment confirmations, wider markets as telcos deepen rural connectivity, and reduced online payment fraud as telecom companies implement better data protection measures to justify the new tariff.”
People offering online courses, tutorials, or mentorship on platforms like YouTube, Udemy, and Instagram will also reap the benefits. They depend on seamless video streaming and interactive sessions to conduct their business. Improved telecom services under the new tariff will lead to better video streaming quality, ensuring hitch-free online classes and coaching sessions. This, in turn, could result in increased student enrollment and higher earnings.
“It’s straightforward—while a business coach can run paid webinars more efficiently, increasing revenue, a language tutor on YouTube can attract more students to live lessons without lag. In both cases, the result is the same: more students and better earnings through ads or lesson fees,” a source explained.
Freelancers, including writers, graphic designers, programmers, and virtual assistants, who earn from platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and LinkedIn, also rely heavily on the internet for client communication, file transfers, and project delivery.
For them, the benefits of improved internet services include faster upload and download speeds, reducing delays in project completion, more opportunities as improved internet encourages businesses to go digital, and smoother communication with clients through video calls and messaging. “A freelance writer can submit articles faster, avoiding missed deadlines, while a graphic designer can upload large design files quickly, improving workflow,” a stakeholder analyzed.
Another group set to benefit from the tariff adjustment are digital marketers and media managers, who handle online advertising, SEO (Search Engine Optimization), and social media accounts for businesses. Their work involves scheduling posts, analyzing insights, and running paid ads—all of which require a strong internet connection.
A stable network will ensure faster response times to clients, improving service delivery. For example, a social media manager will be able to schedule and track posts without delays, leading to better engagement. Likewise, a digital advertiser running Facebook or Google ads will benefit from better targeting and analytics, improving ad performance.
Another key advantage is increased advertising potential, as more businesses may be encouraged to invest in online marketing due to improved telecom infrastructure.
