Telcos implement 50% hike as MTN increases data, SMS prices

Telecommunications operators may have begun the implementation of the Federal Government-approved 50 per cent tariff hike, as subscribers, especially on the MTN network, woke up Tuesday to see that the price of its data subscriptions had gone up.

This tariff hike came a bit earlier than expected, as the telecom operators had planned for implementation to take effect from March after securing the final nod from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

According to circulating information, which emanated from MTN, the revised data prices show that MTN’s 1.8GB monthly plan now goes for N1,500, against the previous 1.5GB plan priced at N1,000.

The 20GB plan has been adjusted to N7,500, up from N5,500, while the 15GB plan now costs N6,500, rising from N4,500.

While MTN has implemented the increase, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile are yet to update their data prices as of the time of filing this report. Telecom operators are now charging N6.00 for text messages, instead of the previous N4.00.

The increase in the price of text messages reflects the 50 per cent hike approved by the NCC.

According to telecom industry sources, the telcos received final approval for their new tariff plans on Monday, and all operators are in the process of adjusting their data and voice plans.

Speaking at a forum two weeks ago, the Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, disclosed that all the operators had sent their new tariff plans to the NCC and were awaiting approval.

Recall that the NCC had, on January 20, announced that it had approved a 50 per cent tariff adjustment for telecom operators, citing rising operational costs and the need to sustain the industry.

The Commission, in a statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, said the decision underlines the Commission’s regulatory role under Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.