Nigerian mobile data subscribers are expressing widespread anger over a sharp increase in prices charged by major phone networks such as MTN and Airtel, despite a recent regulatory directive intended to limit such increases.
As outrage mounts over recent mobile data price increases in Nigeria, a resident speaking to GBC Ghana Online has pointed to the combined pressures of currency devaluation and telecom company lobbying as the driving forces behind the tariff hikes, despite the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC)’s efforts to regulate the sector.
MTN Nigeria, the country’s largest operator, has trebled the cost of its popular weekly 15GB data bundle from 2,000 naira ($1.33) to 6,000 naira ($3.99). Airtel, another major player, has also implemented significant tariff increases, subscribers report.
The price hikes come despite the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), the telecoms regulatory body, having approved an increase but stating just three weeks ago that it would be capped at 50%. The phone companies had sought an increase to offset rising operational costs.
MTN responded to customer complaints on X, stating that the “price adjustment was necessary to serve subscribers better.” Other major internet providers in Nigeria are yet to issue an official statement concerning these new changes.
One X user wrote: “15gb for 6k in a week? How much I de chop weekly wey my phone go chop 6k😩?” Another commented: “@MTNNG why did you increase the price that much?”
Subscribers also reported that MTN’s 1GB bundle has more than doubled in price, and Airtel has tripled the cost of a similar offer.
Credit: GBC