Telcos to Roll Out New Data Bundle Increase from July 1

Ghana’s Minister of Communications and Digitalization, Sam Nartey George, has announced at a news conference in Accra yesterday that from Tuesday, July 1, 2025 all three major telecom operators will implement revised data packages with significantly increased data volumes for the same price.

In what he described as a result of “months of collaborative engagement,” the Minister said the Telcos have agreed to enhance their data bundle offerings by 10% to 15%, a move aimed at improving value for money for Ghanaian consumers, amid persistent complaints about high costs and poor service quality.

“From the 1st of July, a 10% increase will apply to all data bundles currently offered by Telecel. For instance, the 400 Ghana cedi bundle, which used to offer 90 gigabytes, will now provide 250 gigabytes,” he revealed during a press briefing.

For MTN users, the Minister announced a 15% increase in data volumes, stating: “The 399 cedis bundle that currently offers about 92.88 gigabytes will now provide 214 gigabytes.”

Similarly, AT Ghana will offer a 10% increase on all its existing bundles, with its 400 cedi package rising from 195 gigabytes to 236 gigabytes.

Describing the previous regulatory and pricing interventions as “cosmetic fixes,” Sam George emphasised his commitment to a long-term overhaul of the telecom sector.

“I’m not interested in cosmetic fixes that merely paper over the deep cracks. We have inherited structural issues and my approach is to embrace the challenges, diagnose them rightly and implement lasting solutions.”

In his first month in office, he established a 23-member Data Pricing Review Committee, which in just two weeks, submitted a roadmap identifying three key pillars: value, pricing and quality. These recommendations, according to the Minister, have since shaped policy and regulatory interventions under his tenure.

While noting that Ghana’s telecom industry operates within a free market economy, Sam George made it clear that although he cannot impose price controls, policy actions can still influence pricing indirectly.

“My mandate does not extend to directing private companies to fix prices. However, policy directives such as spectrum allocations and regulatory reforms do impact the final cost to the consumer.”

He cited decisions by his predecessors, like designating MTN as a Significant Market Power (SMP) operator and implementing tariff rationalisation that resulted in price increases, though not explicitly announced as such.

To correct these, he has initiated the sale of new spectrum to MTN and Telecel, expected to be completed by early July, 2025 to ease congestion and improve quality.

Additionally, he has approved a “connecting entity license” for Telecel, which will allow the Telco to better utilise the 2100MHz spectrum and improve service delivery.

The Minister also disclosed that the three telecom operators have pledged to collectively invest approximately $150 million in network upgrades and infrastructure development by the end of the year.

“These investments will focus on acquiring new spectrum, transmitters, and equipment to improve service quality. I’ve mandated that all operators make critical investments between July and September, with a rigorous quality of service assessment to follow in the final quarter of 2025. Defaulting operators will be sanctioned,” he said.

Sam George addressed rising public concerns over alleged unexplained data deductions by telcos, dismissing them as unfounded.

“Let me state for the record that the facts do not support that claim. The National Communications Authority (NCA) has conducted billing integrity tests, and results showed that all data bundles were accurately credited and maintained throughout their validity.”

However, he has tasked the NCA to intensify scrutiny by conducting quarterly billing audits starting Q3 of 2025, focusing on popular app and website usage patterns to detect any discrepancies.

In his concluding remarks, the Minister hinted at further relief in the future through potential tax reductions and lower energy tariffs.

“I am in talks with the Finance Minister to rationalise the tax build-up, which currently adds up to almost 39% of the price of data. If taxes drop, we will insist that the Telcos pass those savings on to the consumer,” he assured.

He is also engaging the Minister for Energy and the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) to push for a telecom-specific electricity tariff, similar to what is enjoyed by the mining sector.

Sam George reiterated his commitment to serving the public interest: “I will serve you with heart, with sweat and with blood. We will face the mess I inherited in this Ministry head-on. So help me God.”

By Otoo Jesse

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