Airtel Nigeria, the country’s second-largest telecom operator, has adjusted its data and voice call prices by almost 50%, according to a recent announcement. This decision follows the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) approval of a 50% telecom tariff adjustment, impacting mobile operators across the nation.
A senior Airtel official, speaking with Punch News, attributed the adjustments to rising operational costs, inflation, and foreign exchange volatility, emphasizing the company’s commitment to maintaining service quality and network expansion. The SMS charge has also seen an increase, now standing at N6, up from N4.
The revised pricing affects various data bundles. Daily plans now range from N50 for 40MB to N350 for 1GB, monthly plans now range from 3GB for N2,000 (formerly 1.5GB at N1,200), 4GB for N2,500 (previously 3GB at N1,500), 8GB for N3,000 (formerly 4.5GB at N2,000), while weekly plans have also been adjusted accordingly. Despite the increases, Airtel has assured its subscribers of continued affordability and value.
The NCC has defended its decision to approve the tariff increase, citing Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 (NCA). The commission stated that the decision was made after extensive consultations with stakeholders.
This adjustment comes shortly after MTN Nigeria reversed a 200% tariff hike on its 15GB data plan following public outcry.
