Airtel users will now pay more for data and call tariffs, as the telecom giant has adjusted its pricing structure in response to the new regulatory approval.
The 50% tariff hike was first implemented by MTN Nigeria just a week earlier. Telecom operators are revising their prices following the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) approval of a 50% tariff increase on January 20, 2025.
Under the new pricing structure, Airtel’s most affordable data plan has been revised. The 1.2GB plan previously priced at ₦1,000 has been replaced with 2GB for ₦1,500, representing a 50% increase.
The adjustments extend to other plans as well. For example, the 3GB plan now costs ₦2,000, up from ₦1,200 for 1.5GB, and the 4GB plan now stands at ₦2,500, an increase from the previous 3GB at ₦1,500.
The 8GB plan now costs ₦3,000, a rise from ₦2,000 for the former 4.5GB package. Larger bundles have also been impacted, with the 10GB plan now priced at ₦4,000, replacing the earlier 6GB plan that cost ₦2,500.
Other hikes include the 13GB plan at ₦5,000 (previously 10GB at ₦3,000), 18GB for ₦6,000 (up from 15GB at ₦4,000), and 25GB for ₦8,000, replacing the previous 18GB plan at ₦5,000.
Airtel has also revised its call rates, introducing a new flat rate of 25 kobo per second, which means a one-minute call now costs approximately ₦15, an increase from the previous ₦11 rate.
However, the telco has left certain plans untouched. Notably, the 5GB weekly plan priced at ₦1,500 remains the same, providing some relief for customers seeking shorter-term options.
Raising tariffs aims to help telcos maintain service quality and encourage investment in infrastructure. According to Airtel, the new rates will help the company continue to invest in network improvements, ensuring better service, more reliable connectivity, and a wider coverage area for its customers.
The operator has stressed that the tariff increase will also contribute to enhanced customer service, better network quality, and greater access to innovative solutions.
Even with these assurances, there are talks that the new pricing structure may place additional stress on Nigerian consumers.
The recent tariff hikes are foreseen to further stretch household budgets, particularly as the country’s inflation and costs of living keep increasing. Experts have warned that the increases could result in reduced usage by consumers, who may struggle to keep up with the higher costs.
Bismarck Rewane, the chief executive officer of Financial Derivatives Company, pointed out that while the price hikes may benefit the telecom operators in the short term, they could lead to reduced consumption, potentially affecting the long-term sustainability of the changes.
He explained that the tariff increases would likely weigh heavily on consumers, especially those already feeling the economic impact of rising inflation. “The hike promises to benefit operators but will put additional strain on consumers’ pockets, possibly resulting in reduced usage from consumers,” Rewane noted.
Before Airtel, MTN Nigeria was the first to implement the hike in tariffs and the telco received complaints from its subscribers. MTN Nigeria had raised three of its data plans by more than 50%, which led to a flurry of objections on social media and other platforms.
While the telco defended its move, explaining that the hikes were within the NCC-approved limits and part of efforts to remove subsidies from special plans, it eventually issued an apology to its customers in response to the outcry.
Airtel’s tariff adjustments have met with mixed reactions from users, many of whom are concerned about the affordability of telecom services, especially for those who rely heavily on mobile data for work, education, and communication.
The move aims to help operators resolve challenges of sustaining operations in the market, while also coping with inflation and high costs. However, the telecom industry is one of the most profitable sectors in Nigeria, with a growing base of mobile phone and internet users, despite the challenges caused by increasing tariffs.
While Airtel and MTN may have their reasons for these hikes in tariffs, the obvious remains that consumers are bearing the brunt of these increases, despite service quality and infrastructure offsetting the financial aspect for telcos.
