Review of MTN Data Propositions

It has been confirmed that following NCCs directive to all GSM operators within the country, erstwhile data prices are set to change before the end of the year. The concerned companies comprise MTN, Etisalat, Glo and Airtel.

On that score customers having any type of data bundle or bonus on their line should expect to be impacted by this. Fortunately for now, pending a nod of approval from NCC, customers can still go ahead with making use of their data plans/bonuses at the regular price/rates. The new proposition is scheduled to come into effect on 1^st December 2016.

In preparation for this, MTN has commissioned the following message to be disseminated via a variety of platforms IVR, Social media, SMS, etc., in order to sensitize customers on the impending changes.

"Dear Customer, please be informed that from the 1st of December 2016, all MTN data plans will be changed in compliance with NCC directive to All Operators.  Thank you".

It is yet still not clear what the nature of this floor price review will be. While some have opined that this is bound to be a data cost increment of some kind and that the new development can be traced to the Nigerian government's desire to inaugurate a Telecoms tax in a bid for it to bolster its revenue sources, others have been of the opinion that any increment or upward review in data price charges will clearly negate government's drive to achieve the 30 percent national broadband penetration by 2018.

From all pointers, however, it would appear that the more pertinent viewpoint is the former and that come December 1^st, GSM customers nationwide should be prepared to either pay more for their nominal data bundle usage or have their PAYGO data rates increased.