The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, has reiterated that prices of data in the country will be reviewed downward.
Pantami said it is necessary to ensure that more Nigerians have access to affordable Internet and broadband services in the country.
Recall that back in October and November 2019, Pantami had issued a directive to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to ensure that telecoms operators slashed data tariffs, based on claims that subscribers pay huge sums to be online.
Despite this promise by the Minister, no precise timeline has been set for the price slash to happen.
We are working on ensuring the price of Mobile Data is reviewed in Nigeria in-line with our #DigitalEconomy blueprint. When the price is low, the demand will be high.@DrIsaPantami, Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy.#FMoCDEtoday#FMoCDE19#DigitalNigeria pic.twitter.com/gYo92EtB21
— Fed Ministry of Communications & Digital Economy (@FMoCDENigeria) January 3, 2020
The Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, stated that telecoms prices are not determined by political intervention adding that “market and forces of competition are things that can trigger a downward review based on studies.”
He urged the minister to look into how the country can be more conducive for investments and investors.
Nigeria currently has over 240 million connected lines, with 178 million active telephone users, while there are 123 million Internet users and about 70 million broadband subscribers in the country.
In the country presently, the price of 1GB cost 1,000 Nigerian naira while 2GB cost between N1,500 and N2,000 depending on the network you are using-Glo, MTN, Airtel and Etisalat.
