…Tariff Increase Violates FG’s 50% Approval, Say Consumers
MTN Nigeria has adjusted the prices of its data plans with some raised by 2000 per cent against regulatory approval, an action which has sparked public outrage.
MTN’s price adjustments came amid the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) recent approval for telecoms operators to review their tariffs by only 50 percent.
MTN and other Telecoms providers had demanded a 100 per cent hike but the NCC and other regulatory agencies declined the request, citing economic hardship.
“The adjustment, capped at a maximum of 50 per cent of current tariffs, though lower than the over 100 per cent requested by some network operators, was arrived at taking into account ongoing industry reforms that will positively influence sustainability,” NNC spokesperson, Reuben Mouka said.
But in a surprise review of data tariff, MTN Nigeria raised its 15GB data bundle from N2,000 to N6,000, reflecting 200 per cent hike.
MTN also reviewed the 1.5TB plan from N150,000 to N240,000, which represents a 60 per cent hike.
Before, a 100GB bundle cost N20,000 but the network reviewed a 90GB bundle to N25,000. The 600GB bundle has been raised from N75,000 to N120,000 for 480GB, representing 60 per cent surge.
Recall that MTN CEO, Karl Toriola had said in an interview that the company wanted at least 100 per cent tariff increment.
MTN’s move has triggered public criticism, with some subscribers citing the company’s action as “exploitative.”
A user on X, @limasyre, said, “NCC approved 50 per cent tariff hike on telecoms in Nigeria. A price increase from N2,000 to N6,000 for the same 15GB weekly data plan is a 200 per cent increase. A 50 per cent hike is supposed to N3,000. Good luck to all the parties involved. As for me, I’m not buying that plan again.”
A verified user, @officialdey1 on the microblogging site, X, said “MTN gonna lose customers because I don’t understand how you will raise the cost of 15GB data from N2,000 to N6,000.”
Another X user, @Proficience_, lamented that “The most infuriating thing about this from N2,000 to N6,000 tariff increase is that the government is calling it 50 per cent increase meanwhile it is 300 per cent increase, they are also saying they will protect our interest after this evil increment they negotiated with their business partners.”
“MTN increased data cost of 15GB from N2,000 to N6,000. It is time for Glo to rise,” said an X user, @_demola.
