Cheap unlimited data is unsustainable, says MTN CEO as firm defends network pricing

The Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola, has stated that offering unlimited mobile data at low prices is not feasible for telecommunications operators, warning that such a model would ultimately compromise network quality and service delivery.

Toriola made the remarks during a press conference held in Lagos on Saturday, where he addressed growing consumer demands for cheaper and unlimited internet access amid rising data consumption across the country.

According to the MTN boss, no mobile network operator anywhere in the world can sustainably provide genuinely unlimited data at low costs while maintaining a reliable and efficient network infrastructure.

He explained that many data plans marketed as “unlimited” often come with hidden usage thresholds, fair-use policies, or speed restrictions designed to prevent excessive consumption by a small number of users.

“The idea of unlimited data on mobile networks does not really exist unless customers are paying very high prices. There is always a limit or fair-use policy,” Toriola said.

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He noted that mobile operators face significant technical and financial challenges in expanding network capacity to meet growing demand, stressing that it would be impossible to build infrastructure capable of supporting all subscribers using unlimited data simultaneously without substantial investments.

Drawing a comparison with the aviation sector, Toriola argued that just as airlines cannot remain profitable by offering unlimited flights at extremely low fares, telecom companies cannot provide unrestricted internet access at minimal costs without jeopardizing their operations.

“If telecom operators were to offer unlimited data at very cheap rates, the resources required to maintain and expand network infrastructure would become unsustainable, resulting in congestion, slower speeds, and poor customer experience,” he explained.

The MTN chief further emphasized that the quality of service enjoyed by subscribers is directly linked to continuous investments in network equipment, spectrum acquisition, transmission facilities, and technological upgrades.

His comments come at a time when Nigerian telecom subscribers have increasingly raised concerns over data pricing, depletion rates, and the overall cost of internet access in the country.

The initiative is designed to help subscribers understand how data is consumed on the network and provide a platform for customers to directly engage with MTN’s technical experts over concerns related to data usage.

Speaking on the programme, MTN’s Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, Tobe Okigbo, said the exercise seeks to establish whether customer complaints stem from technical challenges, misunderstandings about data consumption, or a broader lack of awareness regarding how modern digital applications use internet resources.

According to Okigbo, the initiative will improve transparency, enhance customer education, and strengthen trust between the telecom operator and its subscribers.

Industry analysts say the debate over unlimited data plans is likely to remain a major issue in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector as demand for video streaming, cloud services, online gaming, and remote work applications continues to place increasing pressure on network capacity nationwide.