Saturday, April 25th 2026

Despite Tariff Hikes, Nigerians Hit New Record in Monthly Data Consumption


Despite Tariff Hikes, Nigerians Hit New Record in Monthly Data Consumption
138 views
    Share :

Despite the recent 50% increase in telecom tariffs that raised the cost of voice calls, SMS, and data subscriptions, Nigerians are consuming more internet data than ever before, according to the latest statistics from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

In May 2025, Nigerians consumed a staggering 1.04 million terabytes of data, the highest monthly figure recorded since January 2023 when the NCC began publishing usage data.

The record-breaking consumption underscores the growing centrality of internet access to everyday life and work in Nigeria. For many Nigerians, data has become a non-negotiable utility, essential for both personal and business activities.

Soaring Demand Despite Rising Costs

The NCC’s report comes in the wake of public frustration over rapidly depleting data caps. Many users have taken to social media and forums to complain about how quickly their data bundles vanish, even with minimal usage.

With traditional capped plans becoming increasingly unsustainable for heavy users, attention is shifting toward “unlimited” data packages. However, many of these plans are not truly unlimited, as they are often subject to a Fair Usage Policy (FUP) — a clause that throttles internet speed after a certain data threshold is reached.

Unlimited Isn’t Always Unlimited

For example, a plan may claim to be unlimited but apply a FUP after 40GB of usage, significantly reducing browsing speeds. This has prompted scrutiny of internet service providers (ISPs) and their marketing practices.

Still, some providers offer truly unlimited internet packages — with no data caps and no speed throttling — albeit at a premium price. These ISPs primarily operate in major urban centers such as Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Ibadan.

Top 10 Cheapest Truly Unlimited Data Plans in Nigeria (as of July 2025)

Here’s a ranked list of the most affordable truly unlimited data plans in Nigeria, based on price and without any FUP limitations:

1.     Wifiber Broadband – Home Smart

o   Price: ?15,380/month

o   Speed: Up to 35 Mbps

o   FUP: None

o   Coverage: Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja

2.     Ngcom – FiberMax Liteplus

o   Price: ?15,500/month

o   Speed: Up to 20 Mbps

o   FUP: None

o   Setup Fee: ?70,000

o   Coverage: Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt

3.     Hoop Telecoms – Home Deluxe

o   Price: ?15,500/month

o   Speed: Up to 15 Mbps

o   FUP: None

o   Coverage: 36 states + FCT

4.     Tizeti – Residential Unlimited

o   Price: ?17,500/month

o   Speed: Unlimited

o   FUP: None

o   Setup Fee: ?100,000

o   Coverage: Lagos, Ogun, Port Harcourt

5.     iPNX – Bronze Unlimited

o   Price: ?22,253/month

o   Speed: 20 Mbps

o   FUP: None

o   Setup Fee: ?55,900

o   Coverage: Major cities

6.     MTN – FibreX Plan

o   Price: ?25,000/month

o   Speed: Up to 50 Mbps

o   FUP: None

o   Coverage: Selected areas with fibre rollout

7.     Airtel – Unlimited_20

o   Price: ?30,000/month

o   Speed: Up to 20 Mbps

o   FUP: None

o   Availability: Router users only

8.     Cobranet – UgoFlix

o   Price: ?32,000/month

o   Speed: Up to 8 Mbps

o   FUP: None

o   Coverage: Lagos, Abuja, others

9.     Cyberspace – Cyber Unlimited Classic

o   Price: ?33,910/month

o   Speed: Unspecified

o   FUP: None

o   Target: Businesses

10. Swift Networks – Unlimited Supreme

o   Price: ?45,750/month

o   Speed: Unspecified

o   FUP: None

o   Coverage: Limited areas

What to Consider Before Subscribing

While these plans may appear attractive, coverage area remains a critical factor. Most of the ISPs offering unlimited packages operate only in select locations. In contrast, mobile network operators like MTN and Airtel offer broader national coverage but often at higher costs or with restrictions such as router-only eligibility.

Consumers are advised to verify service availability in their locality and inquire about hidden terms like setup fees or FUP clauses.

Conclusion

The steady growth in data consumption—despite price increases—reflects the increasing digital dependency of Nigerians. As more activities shift online, demand for affordable, reliable, and truly unlimited internet services is set to keep rising. ISPs and mobile operators who can meet this demand transparently and efficiently stand to gain significantly in the competitive market.

 

Comments:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *