Saviour Adugba
MTN Nigeria has maintained its lead as the network of choice for data consumers in Nigeria, according to statistics released by the Nigerian Communications Commission. A market statistic report by the NCC shows MTN data subscriber base increased by 1,597,356 new subscribers to reach an outstanding 63,888,343 total subscriptions in August from its 62,290,987 subscriber base in July. The telecom firm topped market competitors Airtel, which came second in terms of total internet subscribers with 39,792,653; Globacom, which came third with 38,487,665 subscribers; and 9mobile, which came last with just 7,1170,308 total internet subscribers.
No losses recorded
None of the telcos recorded any losses in their internet subscriber base with all of them recording some form of growth. W h i l e M T N a d d e d 1,597,356 new subscribers, Airtel added 738,452 new internet subscribers, Globacom added 231,341 new subscribers, while 9mobile added 32,621 new subscribers. Auust is actually the second consecutive month that 9mobile is experiencing a sustained internet subscription growth as they have continually experienced internet subscribers loss throughout the year.
MTN market dominance
According to reports made available by the NCC, South-African-majority-owned telco, MTN, continues to lead the pack when it comes to internet data subscriptions in Nigeria. While this may not be unconnected to the fact that the company has the widest network coverage in the country, analysts say it is more likely that MTN continues to lead in internet service, as well as other service areas, because they have some of the most user-friendly services when it comes to data offerings, adding that the telco has continued to lead with innovations as well as technologies around the internet. “They were the first company to debut 4G in the country and with the recent news that they are already testing 5G in South Africa, they look set to become the first company to debut the network in Nigeria as well,” another analyst said
