Telcos lose 5m subscribers between January and May
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Telephone subscription dropped from 226.2 million in January to 221.2 million in May, a slash of 5 million users which reflected the national economic hardship in the first five months of the year (M5 2023).
Data newly released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) shows telecom carriers in February had 227.1 million subscribers, 226 million (March), and 223.6 million (April).
Internet broadband penetration also slumped from 48.2 per cent in January to 42.28 per cent in May. But narrowband penetration increased from 155.6 million in January to 159 million in May.
Telephone density slashed further in May as operators continued to experience a downward trajectory, especially in voice services.
In M5 2023, subscription penetration dipped 2.6 per cent and teledensity 115.9 per cent.
The NCC defines teledensity as the number of telephone connections per 100 people in a specified geographic area. It is often used to compare the level of access to voice and data communication services between metropolitan and rural areas or between one country and another.
NCC data disclosed teledensity was 118.51 per cent in January, 119.01 per cent (February), 118.48 per cent (March), 117.17 per cent (April), and 115.91 per cent (May).
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MTN retains dominance
MTN retained its dominance in May with 85.5 million subscribers or 38.7 per cent market share, followed by Glo at 61.1 million (27.6 per cent), Airtel 60.5 million (27.4 per cent), 9mobile 13.6 million (6.18 per cent), according to the NCC, per reporting by The Guardian.
Airtel as part of market push, spotlighted on July 2 the struggles of albinism in Episode 2 of Touching Lives Season 7 programmes. It revealed rarely discussed challenges of people living with albinism in Nigeria.
The episode featured the story of Eunice Nwokeocha, a young woman living with albinism which affects the production of melanin, the pigment that gives colour to the skin, hair, and eyes.
“This season features stories that are not only touching but also eye-opening, such as the ones about an organisation that cares for children with autism and learning disabilities, a community with an auspicious plan to train and empower its youth, and an individual who helps to prevent infant mortality,” explained Femi Adeniran, Airtel Director of Corporate Communications and CSR.
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