Internet subscription rises by 2.5m in one month
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Internet connection across all networks rose by 2.5 million in March, bringing total high-speed subscription to 80.6 million from 78.1 million in February.
The latest Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) data shows that the increase in subscriptions brought broadband penetration to 42.27 per cent.
Implementation of the National Broadband Plan (NBP 2020-2025) is yielding results. The plan sets a target of 70 per cent broadband penetration to be achieved by 2025.
Telecommunication operators are driving broadband penetration through the expansion of their 4G service across the country.
A World Bank report has established that every 10 per cent increase in broadband penetration in any country would improve its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by at least 4.6 per cent.
The rapid rollout of broadband services is expected to address various socio-economic challenges the country faces, including the need to grow the economy, expand the tax base, and improve digital literacy and educational standards.
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Implementation of broadband plan
Amid the implementation of the broadband plan, which started in 2020, subscriptions had declined steadily for months as a result of the government’s policy on SIM-NIN registration, per Nairametrics.
From a peak of 45.93 per cent in October 2020, broadband penetration slipped to 39.79 per cent in July 2021.
Between November 2020 and October 2021, telecom carriers lost a total 9.9 million broadband subscriptions.
Before the ban on new SIM in 2020, the country had been recording a one per cent increase each month, as the mobile network operators continued to push for the deployment of 4G service across the country.
Between January and October 2020, broadband connectivity increased by 15.5 million.
Telephone subscribers rise highest since January 2021
Telephone subscription countrywide rose to 199.2 million in March 2022, the highest figure across the four major carriers since January 2021.
NCC data shows that MTN, Globacom, Airtel, and 9mobile added a total 1.4 million subscribers in March, lifting their customer base from 198.1 million in February.
Teledensity, which measures the number of active telephone connections per 100 residents of an area, also jumped to 104.54 per cent from 103.79 per cent in February.
Teledensity is calculated based on Nigeria’s population estimate of 190 million, the NCC explained.