Telecom operators rule out immediate tariff hike amid NCC review, focus on inter-operator pricing
Telecom operators have ruled out any immediate tariff increase for consumers, clarifying that the Nigerian Communications Commission's (NCC) ongoing review focuses on wholesale pricing between operators rather than consumer rates. ALTON Chairman Gbenga Adebayo stated on Arise Television that discussions center on establishing fair rates for calls carried and terminated across different networks.
The review determines pricing when calls originate from one network and terminate on another, including international calls terminating on local networks. Adebayo emphasized: "There are no conversations around tariff review at this time... what is going on is a regular process where a regulator determines what is a fair price for operators to charge among themselves."
This comes after the 50% tariff increase implemented in 2025 that saw MTN raise its 1.8GB plan from N1,000 to N1,500 and 20GB plan from N5,500 to N7,500. The Nigeria Labour Congress had previously called for service boycotts over those increases.
Telecom operators noted that any future tariff adjustments would be tied to improved service delivery, network expansion, and deeper coverage nationwide. Current focus remains on operational sustainability rather than consumer price hikes.
Given the 2025 increases already impacted your data costs, will this clarification influence how you plan your mobile spending or evaluate alternative providers?