Telecommunications giant, MTN Nigeria, has increased the prices of its data plan weeks after the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) even while the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Federal Government are negotiating a review of an initially approved increase of 50 percent.
Some of the MTN’s new prices are higher than the 50 percent hike in the cost of telecom services government earlier approved and Labour rejected and threatened to call for a nationwide strike.
Earlier fixed for February 4, the NLC strike was shelved after government called for negotiations and set up a 10-man committee with Labour to work out a solution.
In rationalising earlier approved price hike, NCC said it was meant to support “the ability of operators to continue investing in infrastructure and innovation, ultimately benefiting consumers through improved services and connectivity, including better network quality, enhanced customer service, and greater coverage.”
However, NLC said such an increase would add to the economic hardship being undergone by citizens.
The price increment has been met with an outcry by the public.
According to the new prices of some of MTN’s plans:
- 15GB/week has risen to N6,000 from N2,000;
- 8GB monthly plan for N1,500, replacing the previous 1.5GB plan priced at N1,000;
- 20GB plan has been adjusted to N7,500, up from N5,500;
- 15GB plan now costs N6,500, up from N4,500.
- 5TB of the 90-day plan has jumped from N150,000 to N240,000
- 600GB 90-day plan increased from N75,000 to N120,000
- 100GB for N20,000 at two/three-month data plan of is now 90GB for N25,000
- 160GB for N30,000 is now 150GB for N40,000.
Although only MTN has increased prices, Airtel and Globacom are expected to follow after the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) approved a 50 percent increase in the cost of calls, data, and SMS on January 20 for the first time in a decade.
