In April of this year, following months of intense lobbying by telecom operators, citing rising business costs, foreign exchange volatility, power supply issues, and high equipment maintenance costs, the NCC finally gave the green light for data price reviews. Almost overnight, data prices across networks nudged upwards. However, the real shock was the speed at which data now seems to vanish.
Social media has become the court of public opinion, and hashtags like #DataDrain has trended more than once. Memes showing videos of people checking their phones in disbelief after streaming just one music video reflect the mood.
A monthly bundle rose by upwards of 30 per cent on some networks, and yet users claim it doesn’t even last as long as it used to. Is there some magic?
Students preparing for exams online, small business owners running Instagram shops, remote workers attending Zoom meetings, and even children watching YouTube Kids all now find themselves cut off mid-stream – literally.
Operators insist that the hike was inevitable. With the dollar rate, network infrastructure heavily reliant on imports, and energy costs skyrocketing, sustaining data services at former prices was no longer viable.Critics argue that the real issue isn’t just higher prices- It is that value for money has dropped drastically. Data now finishes like suya wrapped in one sheet of paper – quick and disappointing.
Some users suspect that data compression and usage metrics have been quietly tweaked to justify rapid depletion.
The Nigerian Communications Commission finds itself caught between a rock and a hard place. On one hand, it needs to protect consumers, who are the lifeblood of the telecom industry. On the other hand, it acknowledges the challenges and real issues facing telecom providers.
Entrepreneurs who depend on constant connectivity to manage e-commerce platforms, freelancers who work for foreign clients, and startups offering app-based services all face rising operational costs.
More Nigerians are switching to routers with unlimited monthly plans. Some are migrating to ISPs, while others are embracing data management apps that monitor background usage and block automatic updates.
Meanwhile, it seems that cyber cafés, once thought extinct, are experiencing a quiet revival as Nigerians seek alternative solutions
However, Nigerians, ever resilient, are adapting. They’re asking tough questions, sharing tips, and demanding answers from both the networks and the regulators. The digital frustration may be palpable, but so is the determination to stay connected.
Written by KELECHI OKORIE
