NCC Approves Tariff Increase for Telecom Companies; 1GB Data Plan Now Cost N1400 Which Will Take Effect By January 2025
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has approved a long-awaited telecom tariff hike, ending over a decade of lobbying by major operators like MTN Nigeria, Airtel, and 9Mobile. New rates for calls, SMS, and internet bundles will take effect in January 2025, with tariffs expected to rise by up to 40%. Business grants and incentives
Under the revised structure, call charges will increase from ₦11 to ₦15.40 per minute, SMS costs will rise from ₦4 to ₦5.60, and a 1GB data bundle will cost at least ₦1,400, up from ₦1,000. The NCC promises more details in an upcoming official announcement, emphasizing that the adjustments balance industry proposals with public interests.
“This will benefit both subscribers and operators as we’ve considered feedback from all stakeholders,” an NCC spokesperson said
Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, acknowledged the need for the adjustment, citing economic pressures during a recent interview on Arise TV. Meanwhile, the NCC remains cautious about overburdening subscribers, previously rejecting a proposed price hike from Starlink in October 2024.
The tariff increase comes amid rising food inflation of 39.93% and fears of reduced internet usage in a country prioritizing digital inclusion. However, the financial strain on telecom operators has been severe, with MTN Nigeria reporting a ₦514.9 billion loss in the first nine months of 2024, following a ₦137 billion loss in 2023. Airtel Africa faced $89 million in losses for FY 2024, largely due to challenges in Nigeria.
