Following numerous complaints about a sudden 200% increase in the cost of its well-liked 15GB data bundle, MTN, Nigeria’s largest telecom provider, publicly apologized to its consumers on Valentine’s Eve, in the spirit of the season of love.
Many customers were caught off guard by the price increase, which caused a social media outcry on Wednesday. Internet users would now have to pay N6,000 for a 15GB weekly data plan, a 200% increase from the previous N2,000. In a casual, conversational message posted on social media on Thursday, MTN expressed its customers’ unhappiness and attempted to allay their rising dissatisfaction among users who had been used to the previously reasonable rates.
The penned message partly reads: “To our 15G digital bundle lovers. You dey vex. We know. We know how upsetting it must have been to suddenly wake up to a 200% increase on your favourite digital bundle.
“We could share several reasons, and provide explanations, but omo, all that one na story. We don cast. We get it and admit it. Let’s just say na mistake.”
As part of their apology, MTN advised consumers to not remain angry, saying, “In this love season, don’t stay angry with us. Please forgive and forget. You matter die and we will never stop showing you how much. Let’s continue our relationship. Thank you for your understanding.”
Continuing, only MTN has raised pricing thus far, but Globacom and Airtel are anticipated to do the same after the Nigerian Communications Commission authorized a 50% tariff increase in January, BrandSpur telecom and information news reports.
However, the Nigeria Labour Congress has demanded an immediate reversal and denounced the execution of a 50% pricing hike by telecom providers.
