Telecom subscribers in Calabar Complain over tariff hike

By Filia OKOKON 

Early in the year precisely in January 2025, subscribers started experiencing hike in telecom tariff. Before now, the telecom company had proposed a 100% increment for calls and data subscription.

 However, the Federal Government through Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) after due consultation with stake holders in the telecom industry implemented 50% against the 100% that was proposed by the telcos. Affected by this development, Nigerians have cried out and lamented the hike in calls and data subscriptions. As a result of this, our reporter, Filia Okokon sampled the opinion of residents of Calabar, Cross River State, on the recent tariff hike by network providers in the country.

Favour John, who resides around 8miles, lamented that these are really challenging times for her and other Nigerians. “The recent hike in data prices has really affected me. Before, I could buy 2.5GB for about 500 naira, and I would use it maybe twice in a day. But now, 2.5GB is costing almost 900 naira, and it’s really tough. I can’t afford to buy it often anymore, especially with the high cost of living. These days, I try to manage by buying data only once in two days, and I’m always careful with how I use it. It’s really challenging now, and it’s not as easy as it used to be.”

Also lamenting, James Udo, a resident of Ikot Ishie, regretted that he can no longer function as a remote worker. “The increment in data services has been challenging because I can no longer work effectively as a remote worker. Not just the hike but the value and efficiency of data reduced. A weekly subscription can’t last 2 days and it is not encouraging savings at all. I really hope something is done about it. Thank you”

Another resident (anonymous), wept especially, over how data increment has inconvenienced her. “The data Increment has caused a lot of inconveniences. Everyday, I buy data and it doesn’t even last up to 2 weeks no matter the plan.

Similarly, Maria Nneoma said that the increment has kept her offline longer than necessary. “I no longer come online as often as I used to. I can no longer stream movies or music online, which is just taking a toll on me.”

Christine Ogar, complained seriously concerning the increment in call rates and data subscriptions. “The recent increase in data plan prices especially by MTN has really affected me as a student. Data was the most affordable way to stay connected but now it’s getting harder to keep up with the cost. It’s already expensive to maintain basic living expenses and this makes things worse since I also work remotely and need a lot of data. It feels really unfair and unreasonable because this price hike is making things even more difficult for students and remote workers who rely on internet access”

The data increment is draining on Nora Njuare who resides around Satellite Town. “The increase in data plans has been draining because money that should have been used for feeding is going into our data and it is really annoying and overwhelming”

According to Angel Eko, a student in one of the tertiary institutions in Calabar, the increase in data subscription has left her feeling helpless. “As a student it has limited my access to online resources and my participation in online discussions. It is also a big financial burden because I am not working and I need access to better plans but the better the plan, the higher the cost, which I cannot afford which is really frustrating and disappointing.”

Bracha Lawrence, lamented that: “The recent increment of data plans by airtime networks is genuinely frustrating. “It has increased my expenses and altered my online habits.”

Another resident, Catherine Bassey said; “It has affected me in a negative way because now, I buy data at a higher rate and I have to keep buying to stay online and i can’t even use my basic apps. Bassey, lamented.

 A data vendor who didn’t want her name in print, regretted the situation. “The rising data prices is affecting our sales. Many of our clients are expressing their concerns and are hesitant to purchase larger data bundles. On the other hand, there is also the issue of poor network but the overall cost structure is beyond our control.”

OKOKON is a final year student at the Department of Mass Communication, University of Calabar. She is on an industrial attachment with THE BEAGLE NEWS.