Joy Agwunobi
Weeks after the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) approved a 50 percent increase in telecom service charges, MTN Nigeria and Airtel Nigeria have begun implementing the new tariffs.
The move has sparked public outcry, with many subscribers expressing frustration over rising costs for both data and voice services. The price revisions, which affect SMS, data bundles and call rates, come as telecom operators face mounting operational costs driven by inflation and foreign exchange volatility.
Airtel Nigeria, the second-largest telecom provider with over 56 million subscribers, has adjusted its data and call rates, with increases reaching up to 50 percent. Details published on the company’s website indicate that the review is part of a broader effort by operators to mitigate the impact of rising operational expenses.
However, a notice on its website reads, “Whatever your data needs are, we have a plan for you. Our fast, affordable, and reliable internet experience will keep you connected anytime, anywhere. To get started, Dial *312#.”
The revised data rates now reflect higher charges across daily, weekly, and monthly plans. For instance, the new daily bundles include 40MB for N50, 100MB for N100, and 1GB for N350, while the weekly options range from 350MB for N350 to 2GB for N500. On the monthly plans, significant adjustments are evident. Customers who previously paid N1,200 for 1.5GB now get 3GB for N2,000, while N5,000, which previously offered 10GB, now provides 13GB. The 25GB plan, formerly priced at N5,000 for 18GB, now costs N8,000.
In addition to data increases, voice call rates have risen from 18 kobo per second to 25 kobo per second, though some packages, such as the 5GB weekly plan for N1,500, remain unchanged.
Similarly, MTN Nigeria, the country’s largest telecom provider, was the first to implement new rates after the regulatory approval. The adjustments affect both data and call tariffs, aligning with the broader industry response to economic pressures.
The new prices of some of MTN’s plans showed that 15GB/week has risen to N6,000 from N2,000; 1.8GB monthly plan for N1,500, has replaced the previous 1.5GB plan priced at N1,000; 20GB plan has been adjusted to N7,500, up from N5,500; 15GB plan now costs N6,500, up from N4,500
The 90-day 1.5TB plan has jumped from N150,000 to N240,000, and the 600GB 90-day plan increased from N75,000 to N120,000. The two/three-month data plan of 100GB for N20,000 is now 90GB for N25,000, and 160GB for N30,000 is now 150GB for N40,000.
The NCC has defended its decision, stating that the tariff review was necessary to address mounting operational costs and ensure industry sustainability. The commission clarified that its approval was granted under Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 (NCA).
According to the NCC, the decision came after extensive consultations with stakeholders from both the public and private sectors.
The statement from the commission reads, “While recognising the concerns of the public, the decision was made after extensive consultations with key stakeholders across the public and private sectors.”
“The NCC recognises the financial pressures faced by Nigerian households and businesses and remains deeply empathetic to the impact of tariff adjustments. To this end, the Commission has mandated that operators implement these adjustments transparently and in a manner that is fair to consumers. Operators are also required to educate and inform the public about the new rates while demonstrating measurable improvements in service delivery,” the commission added.
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