MTN hikes bundle rates Dec 1, jerks up interest rate on borrowed credit to 15%
Relying on what it quoted as the new rates set by the Nigerian communications Commission (NCC) to operators, market leaders in telecoms services both in voice and data, MTN Nigeria has given indications that it will increase tariffs in select bundles come December 1st.
Besides, a number of voice subscribers have observed a five per cent increase in borrowed credits on the network. Before the rise, borrowers of credits are usually charged 10 per cent but that has changed to 15 per cent.
In a terse sms to millions of subscribers Monday, MTN Nigeria said “Dear customer, please be informed that from 1st Dec. some MTN data tariffs will be increased to reflect the new rates set by the NCC to operators. Thank you”. The operator did not give further details on bundles to be affected.
Though efforts to get confirmation from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) which was quoted in the sms failed as several calls put across to top Public Affairs officers of the commission were not answered, a top official at Globacom who pleaded anonymity said “Yes I have received calls from your other journalists seeking our views on the matter, but to tell you the truth, am not yet aware if there is any such communication from NCC. I have been calling some of our marketing guys but they are not picking their calls. Whenever I get a clearer picture of the development I will let you know, thanks”.
Unfortunately, the promised clarification never come before press time, but a young ICT entrepreneur on MTN data who spoke to our correspondent on the matter decried that if NCC was truly involved in this development as claimed, it then means that “A shocker capable of frustrating the nation’s quest for transition from resource economy to knowledge economy which is driven by data availability is emerging if the notice becomes a reality”
Though several industry experts who bared their minds on the matter said it may be true because every other business is feeling the heat of forex crisis and MTN or all the network operators are not doing their business outside this economy.
A stakeholder who pleaded anonymity
However, defended MTN saying “To be sincere, every service provider or goods manufacturer cannot continue to sell at the same price he was selling his goods before the declaration of recession and forex crisis, otherwise, the business will go down. This is the truth of the matter”. The expert queried if one can point to any goods or service that its price has not either gone up or the product size slashed since recently. So service providers are not insulated from the economic woes in the country now.
“Having said that let us wait and see the direction of the hike, whether it is going to be in the high end bracket or low end cadre.
“Moreover, we should equally expect similar hikes from other competitors or some of them may decide to remain as they are as a marketing strategy to win more subscribers depending on the quality of their internet services.
Currently, MTN bundles are divided into daily, weekly, monthly, 2-monthly, 3-monthly plans with different segments in each category.
