Mobile Telecommunications Operators in Nigeria have begun implementing the 50% tariff hike recently approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)......CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE>>>>>
The network operators raised their tariffs on Short Message Service (SMS) by 50% as they now charge N6.00 per SMS from N4.00
MTN hikes data charges by 50%
While other telcos have yet to raise their data tariffs, Legit.ng confirmed that MTN has increased its data tariffs by 50%.
According to the report, MTN data tariffs are now N1,500 for a 1.8 gigabyte (GB) monthly plan, replacing the previous 1.5 GB plan.
The telco’s 20 GB plan now sells for N7,500, from N5,500, while the 15 GB plan now sells for N6,500 from N4,500.
All the other operators such as Airtel, Glo, and 9mobile are yet to implement changes to their data plans.
Telcos secretly increase SMS charges
However, findings show that the telcos have raised their SMS charges.
The surreptitious tariff increase has caused a public outrage with many subscribers saying they were not notified.
MTN disclosed that they would halt the implementation until NCC greenlights the move.
The mobile operators said that the NCC approved a 50% increase, saying they cannot implement it without guidelines from the regulator.
The companies had agreed to implement the new tariff within the first quarter of 2025.
Telcos await NCC to implement call tariffs
They stated that the guidelines from the NCC will spell out the specifics and framework needed for implementing the 50% hike.
The new policy allows telcos to adjust prices within the tariff bands as set by NCC’s 2013 Cost Study.
The New Telegraph reports that the President of the Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Tony Emoekpere, said the tariff adjustments align with the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, mandating a structured process to ensure compliance and fairness.
He disclosed that the document will come in handy in guiding operators and stakeholders on implementing the adjustments.
7 key details to know about telcos’ 50% tariff hike
Legit.ng earlier reported that NCC recently approved a 50% hike in tariffs for telecom services, sparking debates across the country.
This decision follows months of negotiations between telecom operators, regulators, and consumer rights groups.