The Nigerian Communications Commission approved a 50 percent tariff increase in January, and MTN, the country’s largest telecom operator, has begun to gradually implement it.
The change is reflected in the updated data plan prices, which mainly affect a few data plans:
N1,000 for 1.5GB per month has been replaced by 1.8GB plan that now costs N1,500
15GB plan was raised from N4,500 to N6,500.
20GB plan was raised from N5,500 to N7,500.
600GB 90-day plan going up from N75,000 to N120,000.
1.5 terabyte 90-day plan going up from N150,000 to N240,000.
Citing growing operating costs and the need to guarantee the long-term viability of the telecommunications industry, the NCC announced the price increase.
The Commission emphasized that the decision is in line with its regulatory duty under Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, through Reuben Muoka, its Director of Public Affairs.
The authorized pricing rise has been met with opposition from the National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers, which has threatened legal action.
NATCOMS urged that the raise should be rolled down to 10%.