MTN Nigeria has stated that offering unrestricted mobile internet access at low prices is not sustainable, warning that such a model could undermine network quality and long-term investment in telecommunications infrastructure across the country.
The position was outlined by MTN Nigeria Chief Executive Officer Karl Toriola during a consumer engagement event in Lagos, where the company addressed growing concerns over data affordability and increasing calls from subscribers for unlimited internet packages.
According to the telecom operator, the challenge lies in balancing customer demand with the enormous costs associated with expanding and maintaining network capacity. Brandspur Brand News reports that the company believes unrestricted access for all users would place significant pressure on infrastructure and eventually degrade service delivery.
Toriola explained that mobile networks operate within capacity limits and require continuous investment to support rising data consumption. He noted that operators worldwide typically manage demand through various data bundle structures and usage thresholds rather than offering unrestricted access to every subscriber at mass-market prices.
The MTN chief argued that if operators were compelled to provide unlimited data at heavily discounted rates, the resulting strain on infrastructure would make it difficult to sustain reliable connectivity and ongoing network expansion.
He further noted that telecommunications services, like other capital-intensive industries, depend on pricing models that reflect operational realities. According to him, maintaining affordable services while preserving network quality requires a balance between consumer expectations and the costs of delivering high-capacity digital services.
The comments come amid heightened public debate over internet costs in Nigeria, with consumers increasingly demanding greater value as digital activities, streaming, remote work, online learning and social media usage continue to drive higher data consumption.
The company’s remarks also follow its recent initiative aimed at improving transparency around data usage and billing. Through its “Data on Trial” programme, MTN opened aspects of its network operations to public scrutiny in an effort to address recurring concerns about data depletion and billing accuracy.
The initiative was designed to allow customers and stakeholders to gain deeper insight into how data consumption is measured on the network while providing an avenue for direct engagement with the company’s technical teams.
MTN said the exercise forms part of broader efforts to strengthen customer trust, improve consumer understanding of data usage patterns and determine whether complaints stem from technical challenges, user behaviour or gaps in digital awareness.
As demand for faster internet services continues to grow across Nigeria, the debate over data pricing, affordability and network investment is expected to remain a key issue for operators, regulators and millions of mobile subscribers in 2026.
