Telecom giant MTN Nigeria has implemented a price increase on its internet plans, aligning with the 50% tariff hike approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in January after telecommunications sector had been operating on static pricing for over a decade, despite the soaring cost of operations and economic instability.
The revised pricing structure includes a 1.8GB monthly plan now costing ₦1,500, replacing the previous 1.5GB plan priced at ₦1,000. Larger plans have also been affected, with the 20GB package now set at ₦7,500, up from ₦5,500, and the 15GB plan rising to ₦6,500 from ₦4,500.
High-volume data bundles have witnessed the most significant adjustments, as the 90-day 1.5TB plan has surged from ₦150,000 to ₦240,000, while the 600GB 90-day plan now costs ₦120,000, up from ₦75,000. However, MTN has maintained the pricing of some plans, such as the 2.5GB daily bundle at ₦600, to cater to low-income users. A company executive, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the adjustments were not uniform across all plans.
Other operators have begun implementing similar price increases, with SWIFT Networks raising its internet prices by 50%. Airtel and Globacom are yet to make adjustments, though a source at Airtel disclosed that the company had introduced a flat rate of 25 kobo per second for all voice calls. Both operators, alongside other telecom companies, are expected to revise their tariffs later this month.
Industry insiders reveal that the new pricing took effect on Monday afternoon, impacting data and voice services. Some changes have also been made to data validity, with certain short-term plans now offering shorter durations. For instance, a 2-day plan has been reduced to a single day, while a 7-day plan now expires in six days.
The NCC had approved the tariff hike on January 20, 2025, following prolonged negotiations with telecom firms, which argued that the previous rates were unsustainable amid rising inflation and naira depreciation.