The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George (MP), has announced changes to data bundle offerings by major telecommunications operators in Ghana, effective July 1, 2025.
The announcement, made during a press briefing at the Ministry’s Complex in Accra, follows extensive engagements with the CEOs of AirtelTigo, Telecel Ghana Limited, and Scancom Ghana Limited (MTN Ghana), aimed at enhancing value for Ghanaian consumers while addressing operational challenges faced by the telecom sector.
In his address, Hon. Sam George outlined specific adjustments to data bundles across the three major operators. For MTN Ghana, which holds Significant Market Power (SMP) status, there will be a 15 per cent increase in the prices of all data bundles currently offered.
Additionally, the minister announced the restoration of the popular 399 Ghana cedi bundle, which had been reduced to a 350 cedi bundle offering 92.88 gigabytes. “I’m pleased to announce the restoration of the 399 Ghana cedi bundle, which currently has been changed to the 350 cedi bundle that offers 92.88 gig will henceforth be reinstated to 214 gig for 399 Ghana cedis,” he stated.
For AirtelTigo and Telecel Ghana, a 10 per cent increase will apply to all existing data bundles. The 400 Ghana cedi bundle from AirtelTigo, currently offering 195 gigabytes, will now provide 236 gigabytes.
Similarly, Telecel’s 400 Ghana cedi bundle, which offers 90 gigabytes, will increase to 250 gigabytes starting July 1.
“The increases are going to come at considerable costs to the network operators. However, I am glad that our engagements and the consultations are bearing fruit for the Ghanaian people,” George remarked, expressing gratitude to the telecom CEOs for their cooperation.
The minister explained that the implementation date of July 1 allows network operators to recalibrate and reconfigure their systems to reflect the agreed-upon value increases. The National Communications Authority (NCA) has been directed to monitor strict compliance with these directives, with sanctions to be applied for any failures. “The NCA is directed to ensure the monitor strict implementations of this directive from first of July, where failure applies, sanctions should be applied,” he emphasized.
Addressing concerns about arbitrary data price changes, Sam George clarified that NCA’s billing verification tests conducted in Q3 2024 found no irregularities. “The NCA reports that in the last billion integrity test conducted on mobile data bundles for MTN, Telecel, and AT in Q3 of 2024, it found that one, all data bundles purchased during the test period were correctly credited and remained intact throughout their validity with no unexpected data losses. Two, non-expiry data bundles did not expire, and three, all unused data bundles were rolled over after resubscription,” he stated. The NCA has been further instructed to conduct quarterly billing integrity tests starting from Q3 2025, focusing on popular apps and websites, with sanctions for inaccurate billing.
The minister also highlighted ongoing efforts to reduce data costs through tax rationalization and the introduction of a telecom tariff. “I’m continuing my engagement with the honorable finance minister to get his approval for the rationalization of some components in the tax builder in the sector. If we are able to have a proper rationalization of the taxes, we should see a drop in the almost 39 % tax buildup in the price of data in the country,” he said. Additionally, discussions with the Minister of Energy and the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission aim to secure a telecom tariff, similar to that in the mining sector, to further lower service delivery costs.
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