Subscribers within the MTN Nigeria network are grappling with a wave of disbelief following the provider’s recent unannounced new charging policy. This development comes just weeks after the company implemented an increase in the cost of calls and SMS services, further exacerbating concerns among its user base.
Under the newly introduced policy, subscribers are now required to pay 15 naira for the same number of characters that previously cost just 4 naira. This significant hike in pricing has understandably caused frustration and confusion among customers who rely on SMS communications.
Moreover, the new policy has also seen a reduction in the number of characters that constitute a single page of SMS. MTN has decreased the character limit from 160 to a mere 60 characters per page. Despite this reduction, the cost per page remains at 6 naira. Consequently, what was once a 160-character message, now classified as one page, will now be counted as two pages due to the new constraints.
This means that subscribers will essentially be charged 12 naira for what they previously paid for at a much lower rate.
The implications of this policy change are significant. For many subscribers, this will result in increased costs for a service that is essential for daily communication. Customers are expressing their dissatisfaction, highlighting the financial burden this new policy places upon them.
As a result, there is growing concern about the affordability of telecommunications services in Nigeria, especially for those who depend on SMS for both personal and professional communication.
