The number of active subscriptions for the internet across mobile, fixed and VOIP networks in Nigeria rose to 159.5 million in July this year.
This is according to the latest industry statistics released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The increase represents growth of 0.02 per cent compared to the 159.4 million recorded in the preceding month.
The data further showed that mobile network operators MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile maintained their dominance of the internet market with 158.9 million internet subscriptions, leaving other players with less than a million connections.
VOIP operators, which include Smile Communications and Ntel accounted for 326,241 internet connections as of July, while other internet service providers (ISPs) accounted for 204,810 internet subscriptions. The ISPs’ connection figure is, however, as of December 2022, according to NCC.
There was, however, no growth in broadband in the month as subscriptions to high-speed internet services remained static. Broadband subscriptions in July stood at 89.7 million, the same as recorded in June.
The country’s broadband penetration level also remained static at 47.01 per cent despite an ongoing implementation of the Nigeria National Broadband Plan (NNBP 2020-2025). Through the implementation of the Plan, the federal government is targeting 70 per cent broadband penetration by 2025.
To that end, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC Prof. Umar Danbatta, recently declared that the Commission would be providing industry leadership to push broadband penetration in the country to well above 50 per cent by the end of this year.
According to him, the Commission would also ensure that Nigeria achieves 90 per cent broadband coverage and 70 per cent penetration by the year 2025 in line with the National Broadband Policy. He, however, pointed out that the country would also need to attract more investments in infrastructure to bring these targets to reality.
