MTN Nigeria's recent internet tariff adjustments, implemented on Monday, have sparked controversy among subscribers who claim that some internet plans were raised more than the approved 50% threshold by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). However, a closer examination of the data pricing document reveals that only four out of the 18 internet plans on the network were affected by the 50% increase.

The four affected plans include the 2GB hourly bundle, which was replaced with a 400MB hourly plan for N100, representing a 156% increase. The 400GB three-month plan, previously available for ₦50,000, was adjusted to 480GB for three months at a new price of ₦120,000, reflecting a 100% increase. Additionally, the 2.5GB digital channels-only bundle saw a 50% increase, with the price rising from ₦500 to ₦750. The biggest increase was on the 15GB Digital channels-only bundle, previously sold at ₦2,000, which was adjusted to a 15GB PGW Weekly bundle and sold for ₦6,000, representing a 200% increase.

According to an MTN Nigeria spokesperson, the bundles that experienced more than a 100% increase were heavily discounted previously to support a specific segment of subscribers for a specified period. The spokesperson explained that the bundles were priced properly since the discounted period ended a long time ago, and the 50% tariff increase was then applied to the standard market price. Furthermore, MTN Nigeria dropped the price of internet calls by 14 kobo instead of the standard 24 kobo the market demanded.

Interestingly, out of the 18 internet plans listed on the document, 13 received less than a 40% increase. The biggest increase in this group is the 25GB monthly plan, which was increased from ₦6,500 to ₦9,000. This suggests that the majority of MTN Nigeria's internet plans were not affected by the 50% tariff increase, contrary to initial subscriber concerns.

The development has significant implications for MTN Nigeria's subscribers, who will need to adjust to the new pricing structure. While the 50% tariff increase may be seen as a significant hike, it is essential to note that the majority of plans were not affected by this increase. As the Nigerian telecommunications market continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how MTN Nigeria's competitors will respond to these changes.

In conclusion, the recent internet tariff adjustments by MTN Nigeria have sparked controversy, but a closer examination of the data reveals that only a few plans were affected by the 50% increase. As the telecommunications landscape continues to shift, it is crucial for subscribers to stay informed about the changes affecting their internet plans.