MTN Nigeria’s recent 50% tariff adjustments, implemented on Monday, have sparked controversy among subscribers.
While many criticized the telco’s internet price adjustment, claiming some plans exceeded the 50% threshold approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), a closer examination reveals a more nuanced reality.
Only four out of the 18 internet plans on the network were affected by the 50% increase. The changes included significant price hikes for certain plans, such as the 2GB hourly bundle, which saw a 156% price increase.
According to an MTN Nigeria spokesperson, the bundles with more than a 100% increase were heavily discounted previously to support a specific segment of subscribers for a limited period.
The spokesperson explained that the bundles have now been priced properly, with the 50% tariff increase applied to the standard market price.
Notably, 13 out of the 18 internet plans received less than a 40% increase. MTN Nigeria also reduced the price of internet calls by 14 kobo, rather than the standard 24 kobo demanded by the market.