Airtel Nigeria, the country’s second-largest telecommunications operator, has officially implemented a major revision of its data and call pricing structure, citing rising operational costs as the driving force behind the adjustments.
The tariff changes, which took effect recently, come amid a wave of cost pressures that have forced telecom operators to reassess their pricing models.
A review of Airtel’s *USSD code (312#) and its official website confirms the new pricing structure, which has drawn mixed reactions from subscribers. While the company insists that the changes are necessary to maintain service quality and sustain operations, many users have expressed frustration over the increasing cost of connectivity.
The Nigerian telecommunications sector has been battling escalating costs driven by inflation, foreign exchange volatility, and increased expenses in network maintenance. The weakening of the naira against the dollar has significantly impacted the cost of importing essential telecom equipment and maintaining infrastructure, making it increasingly difficult for operators to sustain previous pricing levels.
Airtel Nigeria’s move follows a similar tariff hike by MTN Nigeria, the country’s largest telecom operator, which implemented a 50% increase in data and call rates just last week. This suggests that the entire industry is feeling the heat, with major players adjusting their prices to remain profitable.
New Airtel Data Plans and Call Rates
Airtel’s new pricing structure has effectively doubled the cost of some of its most popular data plans. For instance, a monthly subscription that previously offered 1.5GB for N1,200 has now been adjusted to 3GB for N2,000, while the 8GB plan, which previously cost N2,000, has been raised to N3,000. The adjustments also extend to larger data bundles, with the 25GB plan now going for N8,000, up from N5,000.
In addition to data tariff adjustments, Airtel has also increased its call rates, raising the per-second billing from 18 kobo per second to 25 kobo per second. This means that users will now pay significantly more for voice calls, further compounding concerns about rising telecom expenses.
While many plans have been adjusted, some tariff bundles remain unchanged, including the 5GB weekly plan for N1,500.
Alongside data and call tariff hikes, Airtel Nigeria has also increased the cost of sending SMS. Subscribers will now pay N6.00 per text message, up from the previous rate of N4.00. However, other major operators, including MTN, Globacom, and 9mobile, have also implemented the same price adjustment.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the industry’s regulatory body, had earlier approved a maximum tariff increase of 50% for telecom operators. The commission justified the decision by citing the rising cost of doing business in Nigeria and the need for industry sustainability.
According to the NCC, the approval was granted under Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 (NCA). The regulator acknowledged public concerns over increasing telecom costs but defended its decision, stating: “While recognizing the concerns of the public, the decision was made after extensive consultations with key stakeholders across the public and private sectors.”
Subscribers Express Frustration Over Rising Costs
As expected, the new pricing structure has triggered a wave of reactions from Nigerian telecom users. Many subscribers have taken to social media to express their dissatisfaction, noting that the higher data and call tariffs further strain household budgets already burdened by inflation and economic hardship.
The hikes also come at a time when internet access is more crucial than ever, with businesses, students, and professionals heavily reliant on data connectivity. Many users fear that higher costs could limit access to affordable communication, particularly for lower-income Nigerians.
“It’s unfair that these mobile networks (MTN and Airtel) are exploiting Nigerians because they know we can’t do without Data,” an X user said.
The Future of Telecom Pricing in Nigeria
The recent price increases by both Airtel and MTN suggest that telecom costs in Nigeria may continue to rise, especially as economic conditions remain volatile. Other operators, including Globacom and 9mobile, may soon follow suit with their own tariff adjustments.
For now, subscribers will have to reassess their data and call usage as telecom services become increasingly expensive. However, the question many are asking is: Will these price hikes ultimately improve service quality?
