NCC Stats: Nigeria Now has over 200 Million Mobile Subscribers

Mobile penetration in Nigeria is growing fast and very steadily. According to recently released NCC stats, the number of mobile subscribers in the country has crossed the 200 million mark.

The report shows that the number of subscribers increased from 198.9 million in July to 203.16 million in August 2020. This represents an addition of 4.2 million subscribers during the month.

MTN is the Highest gainer

MTN remains the leading mobile operator in the country, adding the highest number of subscribers during the month. The telco gain added 2.73 million subscribers to bring its total number of subscribers to 83.08 million.

Airtel comes in second, adding 1.06 million subscribers to widen the gap with Globacom. Airtel now has a total mobile subscriber of 54.76 million as against Globacoms 52.93 million. The latter added just 192,327 subscribers in August.

Following its bounce back in July, 9mobile also gained subscribers in August. The telco added 214,282 subscribers to bring its total to about 12.37 million.

The last telco, Visafone didn’t have any recorded subscribers. According to the NCC report, the telco has transferred its subscribers to the GSM band.

Internet subscribers close to 150 million

All 4 major mobile operators reported an increase in internet subscribers in August. This brings the total number of internet subscribers to about 149.33 million.

Market leaders, MTN is the highest gainer. The telco added 1.59 million internet subscribers during the month to bring the total to about 63.88 million.

Airtel and Globacom follow with internet subscribers of 39.79 million and 38.48 million respectively. During the month, Airtel added 738,462 and Globacom added 231,341 internet subscribers.

9mobile continued its steady climb from June, adding 32,621 internet subscribers to bring its total number of subscribers to 7.17 million.

Over 19,400 porters

Airtel remained the most favourable network for porters in the month of August. The telco recorded 10,078 users joining from other operators. 9mobile comes in second with just 5,593 incoming porters.

MTN followed closely with 5,188 incoming subscribers. This is almost double the 2,840 subscribers in the previous month. Globacom remains bottom of the log with just 677 incoming porters.

On the outgoing end, Globacom led the chart as 6,818 subscribers ported to other mobile operators. Airtel follows with 5,277 subscribers lost while MTN and 9mobile dominate the bottom with 4,469 and 4,507 subscribers lost.

Nigeria’s Broadband hits 43%

Broadband penetration in the country rose to 43.3% in August, gaining 1.28% in the last month alone. The number of 3G and 4G subscribers also rose to 82.65 million from 80.21 in the previous month.

In summary, crossing the 200 million milestone shows a steady increase in mobile penetration across the country. That together with the all-round increase in internet subscribers is driving a notable growth in broadband penetration.