BREAKING: Telcoms Operators May Hike Call, Data Tariffs Early 2025

A top official of one of the four big telecom companies has said operators may get approval to increase call and data tariffs before the end of the first quarter of 2025.

Naija News reports that the top official who pleaded anonymity told journalists in Lagos State.

The official said that the telecom operators are waiting for the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) approval to increase calls, SMS, and internet bundle rates.

If the approval is given, it will mark the end of over a decade of lobbying by telecom giants like MTN Nigeria, Airtel, and 9Mobile, which have consistently called for price adjustments to reflect economic realities.

The top official said, “We strongly hope that our approval to increase tariffs has been granted by the federal government. We hear they will allow us to do some upward review of tariffs by the first quarter of 2025. This sector is seriously bleeding; no new investment because of soaring operating costs. Some of us are already making losses. We just hope the sector will not be allowed to die.”

The source added that telecom tariffs could rise by up to 40%, which means making a one-minute call may cost N15.40, up from N11, and SMS charges will rise from N4 to N5.60. For data plans, the price of a 1GB bundle will increase from N1,000 to at least N1,400.

Naija News understands that telecom operators have not been allowed to raise prices in the last 11 years despite soaring operational costs driven by inflation.