MTN Nigeria Increases Call Rates by 76.9%

MTN Nigeria has raised its Pulse call bundle rates by a significant 76.92%, increasing the cost from N7.8 per minute (13 kobo per second) to N13.8 per minute (23 kobo per second). This price hike follows the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) approval for a 50% tariff increase across the telecom sector.

In addition to the call rate adjustments, MTN has also raised its SMS rates from N4 to N6. The telecom giant is also planning additional increases in its data bundles.

MTN informed its Pulse customers via a message on Monday, stating, “Y’ello! Keep enjoying calls at 23k/s to all networks and N6/SMS on Pulse.” The new pricing structure will be implemented gradually, with further changes expected over the weekend and into the following week.

Alongside the call and SMS rate hikes, data plans have seen significant price increases as well. Notable adjustments include:

• The 1.8GB monthly plan now costs N1,500, up from N1,000 for 1.5GB.
• The 20GB plan has increased to N7,500 from N5,500.
• The 15GB plan now costs N6,500, up from N4,500.
• The 90-day 1.5TB plan surged from N150,000 to N240,000.
• The 600GB 90-day plan is now priced at N120,000, up from N75,000.
• The 100GB plan, which previously cost N20,000, now offers only 90GB for N25,000.
• The 160GB plan, previously N30,000, now offers 150GB for N40,000.

While other telecom operators have not yet followed suit, experts predict that they will align with MTN’s pricing structure in the near future.

This price increase, approved by the NCC on January 20, marks the first significant tariff hike in a decade. Operators justify the rise as a necessary move to sustain infrastructure investments and advancements in technology.