* After 50% tariff hike approval
Telecom operators in Nigeria have unveiled revised data prices after the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) approved a 50% tariff increase.
The NCC announced the tariff hike on Monday, enabling operators to adjust their pricing structures accordingly.
Leading providers such as MTN, Glo, Airtel, and 9mobile have released updated rates.
For MTN, the price for 25GB of data now stands at N9,750, up from the previous N6,500. Similarly, 10GB, 5GB, and 1GB now cost N5,250, N2,250, and N525, respectively, compared to their earlier prices of N3,500, N1,500, and N350.
Airtel’s 23GB data plan has risen to N9,000 from N6,000, while 10GB is now N4,500, an increase from N3,000.
9mobile has adjusted its 22GB data plan to N7,500, up from N5,000, while 9.5GB is now N3,750, previously N1,500.
For Glo subscribers, the price for 24GB has increased to N7,500 from N5,000, while 10.8GB now costs N3,000, up from N2,500.
The tariff review has sparked reactions from users, as the increased rates reflect a significant rise in data costs nationwide.
The latest increase in data prices by telecom operators in Nigeria comes on the heels of the NCC’s approval of a 50% tariff hike, a decision that has sparked significant public and industry reactions.
This move is part of efforts by telecom operators to align their pricing structures with the rising costs of operations, which they attribute to inflation, increased fuel prices, foreign exchange fluctuations, and the rising cost of infrastructure maintenance.
While the NCC has rationalized the increase as necessary for the sustainability of the sector, it has raised concerns among Nigerians already grappling with the high cost of living.
The development underscores the ongoing challenges in balancing affordability for consumers with the viability of telecom operations in Nigeria’s complex economic environment.