MTN Nigeria has officially raised the prices of its data subscription plans, following the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) recent approval of a 50% tariff increase for telecom operators in the country.
According to updated data prices, MTN’s 1.8GB monthly plan now costs N1,500, replacing the previous 1.5GB plan that was priced at N1,000. Additionally, the 20GB plan has been adjusted to N7,500, up from N5,500, while the 15GB plan is now N6,500, a notable rise from the previous N4,500.
In another significant change, the cost of sending text messages has increased to N6, from the former price of N4. Other major operators, including Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile, have not yet updated their data plans as of the time of this report. However, all operators have begun charging N6 per text message, in line with the NCC’s approved 50% increase for SMS rates.
The Price Hike’s Backstory
The tariff adjustment was confirmed after the NCC granted approval for telecom operators to raise prices by 50%, citing escalating operational costs and the necessity to maintain the financial health of the industry. The Commission officially announced the decision on January 20, emphasizing its regulatory role under the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
The chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, had mentioned at a forum two weeks ago that all telecom operators had submitted their revised tariffs to the NCC and were waiting for final approval.
In response to the price hikes, the National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS) has expressed its dissatisfaction, announcing intentions to challenge the tariff adjustment in court. NATCOMS argues that the decision was made without sufficient consultation with key stakeholders, particularly the subscribers.
Meanwhile, the Presidency has defended the 50% increase, stating that the hike is crucial to sustaining the telecom industry in Nigeria. However, it clarified that this approval does not require operators to immediately implement a 50% increase. Telecom operators are still free to maintain their existing rates if they find them financially viable.
While the Presidency acknowledged that the telecom sector had maintained static pricing mechanisms for over a decade—despite rising operational costs—the new price adjustments were positioned as a necessary step to address the critical challenges facing the sector.
