By Adekunle Peter/Lagos0
Telecom product users in Nigeria will henceforth pay more for services, as leading telecom operators in Nigeria, MTN, Glo, Airtel, and 9mobile, have introduced revised data prices.
The adjustment in prices followed the approval of 50% tarrif hike by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The communication regulator had last Monday announced the tariff hike to enable operators to adjust their pricing structures accordingly.
For MTN, the price for 25GB of data now stands at ₦9,750, up from the previous ₦6,500. Similarly, 10GB, 5GB, and 1GB now cost ₦5,250, ₦2,250, and ₦525, respectively, compared to their earlier prices of ₦3,500, ₦1,500, and ₦350.
Airtel’s 23GB data plan has risen to ₦9,000 from ₦6,000, while 10GB is now ₦4,500, an increase from ₦3,000.
9mobile has adjusted its 22GB data plan to ₦7,500, up from ₦5,000, while 9.5GB is now ₦3,750, previously ₦1,500.
For Glo subscribers, the price for 24GB has increased to ₦7,500 from ₦5,000, while 10.8GB now costs ₦3,000, up from ₦2,500.
The tariff review has sparked reactions from users, as the increased rates reflect a significant rise in data costs nationwide.
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 justified the increase as necessary for the sustainability of the sector, it has raised concerns among Nigerians already grappling with the high cost of living.
This development underscores the ongoing challenges in balancing affordability for consumers with the viability of telecom operations in Nigeria’s complex economic environment.
