Internet subscribers rise by 60m in 7 years
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Internet subscribers rose by 60 million from 2015 to 150.36 million in May 2022 and active mobile voice subscription by 53 to more than 204 million, which grew teledensity to 107.17 per cent.
Internet penetration saw seven million new subscribers in six months from November 2021 to May 2022, according to Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Executive Vice Chairman Umar Danbatta.
He said the feats were achieved through several steps being taken to implement all digital economy-oriented policies that require the attention of the NCC, including the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP) 2020-2025 and the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) 2020-2030.
Implementation of NCC Strategic Vision Plan (SVP) 2021-2025, also known as NCC 5-Point Agenda, also contributes to the rise in the quest to achieve 70 per cent national coverage by 2025.
“Internet subscribers have grown from 90 million in 2015 to 150.36 million as of May 2022.
“Also, within the period under review, broadband penetration increased from 8 per cent to 43.67 per cent, indicating that over 83.3 million subscribers are on broadband networks of 3G and 4G,” Danbatta said at the 11th eWorld Forum held in Lagos.
“Indeed, between November 2021 and May 2022, the networks have added seven million new users.”
“It is our belief that the communications industry will continue to experience more quantum leaps that will be beneficial to the nation’s economy and its citizens.”
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Telecom contributes 12.61% to GDP
Danbatta, represented by NCC Spectrum Administration Head Abraham Oshadami, disclosed that in the fourth quarter of 2021 (Q4 2021), the telecom sector contributed 12.61 per cent to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a leap from 8.50 per cent in 2015.
He said active mobile voice subscription also increased from 151 million in 2015 to over 204 million as of May 2022 while teledensity is 107.17 per cent, as reported by Nairametrics.
According to him, the NCC through the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) has recorded huge successes in ensuring that telecom services are accessible to a large number of people (and communities) at affordable prices.
Besides, Danbatta stressed, there are various projects being implemented by the NCC to increase universal access and service as well as enhance government efforts at poverty reduction.