Airtel Nigeria has partnered with MTN Nigeria to increase their call and internet service prices by 50 percent, just one week after MTN implemented a similar adjustment.
This price increase aligns with the recent approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for a 50 percent tariff hike across the telecommunications sector. As part of this new pricing structure, Airtel has introduced a revised monthly data plan, replacing its previous 1.2GB option for N1,000 with a new 2GB plan priced at N1,500.
Additional changes include a 3GB plan for N2,000 (up from 1.5GB at N1,200), a 4GB plan for N2,500 (previously 3GB at N1,500), and an 8GB plan for N3,000 (replacing 4.5GB at N2,000). Other adjustments feature a 10GB plan for N4,000 (previously 6GB at N2,500), a 13GB plan for N5,000 (up from 10GB at N3,000), an 18GB plan for N6,000 (previously 15GB at N4,000), and a 25GB plan for N8,000 (replacing 18GB at N5,000).
Call rates have also increased to 25 kobo per second, up from approximately 18 kobo per second. Similar to MTN, Airtel has kept some tariff plans unchanged, such as the 5GB weekly plan for N1,500.
This tariff increase is intended to enhance the operators' capacity to invest in infrastructure and innovation, ultimately benefiting consumers through improved services and connectivity, including better network quality, enhanced customer service, and wider coverage.
However, experts have expressed concerns that this increase may further burden consumers. Bismarck Rewane, CEO of Financial Derivatives Company, indicated that while the hike may benefit operators, it could lead to increased financial strain on consumers, potentially resulting in decreased usage.