Cost of data bundles to be reduced significantly effective July 1 – Communications minister

By Kingsley Webora TANKEH

The Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has announced that the three major telecommunications companies in the country – MTN, Telecel and government-owned AT – are set to make significant reductions in the cost of their data bundles by increasing the amount of data provided.

He revealed that the state-owned AT and Telecel will apply a 10 percent increase on the amount of all data bundles for the same price, effective July 1, 2025.

While the price of these data bundles remains the same, telecos are directed to increase the amount of data offered for the same cost as data packages already known to customers.

That is, the telcos will increase the amount of their data bundles by 10 percent -thereby reducing the cost.

He indicated that: “The GH¢400 Telecel bundle that currently offers 195 gigabytes of data will now offer 236 gigabytes of data and Ghana Telecommunications Company Limited’s (AT) GH¢400 bundle, which currently offers 90 gigabytes, will offer 250 gigabytes from 1st of July”.

Despite being declared the Significant Market Power (SMP) in 2020 – which requires that significant increase in price of services to induce patronage of the other telecos in Ghana and stifle a monopoly – MTN Ghana, according to the minister, will effect a rather higher 15 percent increase on it’s data bundles.

“ScanCom Ghana Limited (MTN) will apply a 15 percent increase on all data bundles. I am pleased to announce restoration of the GH¢399 bundle, which currently has been changed to the GH¢350 bundle that offers 92.88 gigabytes. It will henceforth be reinstated at 214 gigabytes for GH¢399,” he announced.

Speaking at a press conference in Accra, the communications minister acknowledged the directive’s imminent impact on MTN, considering the draconian measures in the SMP toolkit which serve to stifle a monopoly.

“The ministry is committed to continue working with the regulator and MTN to constantly review their SMP status and make the necessary adjustments once we achieve the market realignments that we seek with these measures,” he said.

The communications minister said after a fruitful engagement with Chief Executive Officers of the telcos, they have all agreed to increase their data bundles effective July 1, 2025.

He indicated that the telcos have to recalibrate and reconfigure their systems to reflect the agreed-upon value increases before the implementation date of July 1.

He therefore charged the regulator, NCA, to ensure strict adherence to the directive, stressing that failure to comply will attract sanctions.

However, the communications minister charged all telecommunications companies in Ghana to make critical investments that improve the quality of service, accessibility and value of their data bundles.

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