Nigeria’s broadband connections hit 92.6 million in February

By Business A.M. 

Broadband subscriptions in Nigeria  rose to 92.6 million in February 2023,  from 92.01 million in January 2023, while broadband penetration grew from 48.20 per cent in January 2023 to 48.49 per cent in February 2023, according to latest data released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

The NCC data disclosed that telecommunications operators in the country recorded a total of 550,223 new broadband subscriptions in the month. However, the growth recorded in the period under review  was seen to be marginal compared with previous months when broadband subscriptions had been growing by an average of one million a month.

Analysis of the data showed that  Nigeria’s broadband subscription rose to 86.95 million in October, 88.27 million in November 2022 and 90.40 million in December 2022. Broadband penetration also increased within October,November and December 2022, reaching 45.55 per cent, 46.24 per cent and 47.36 per cent respectively.

NCC also recalled that broadband subscription rose to 92.01 million in January 2023, with increased broadband penetration of 48.20 per cent.

“In February 2023, broadband subscription reached as high as 92.56 million, while broadband penetration increased to 48.49 per cent,” NCC said.

February 2023 also witnessed a surge in the country’s total internet subscriptions, including subscriptions for 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G internet service, which increased to 156.9 million. Going by the number of broadband subscriptions, the NCC data shows that 58.9 per cent of the internet connections in the country as of February 2023 were on 4G and 5G.

According to industry experts, the steady growth rate in broadband subscriptions shows the country’s efforts through the implementation of the national broadband plan are yielding commendable results.

Commenting on the growth rate in broadband subscriptions and penetration, Gbenga Adebayo,chairman, Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON),attributed the growth rate to better policy implementation by the NCC, based on the set target to achieve 70 per cent broadband penetration by 2025.

On his part,  Mohammed Rudman,chief executive officer, Internet Xchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN), attributed the growth of broadband penetration to the improved domestication of data within Nigeria, through IXPN.

Rudman noted that locally domesticated broadband internet traffic increased from 30 per cent to 70 per cent within the last seven years.

According to the IXPN CEO, Nigeria is at level two, where at least 70 per cent of the internet traffic from major service providers is connected to the IXPN, while only about 30 per cent of internet traffic is connected to international exchanges.

He recalled that the impact of domestication of data shows that in 2012, Nigeria was exchanging only 300 megabits per second, but in 2020, it increased to 125 gigabits per second, which amounts to saving up to $40 million annually.

Rudman further noted that in 2023, Nigeria is currently exchanging about 400 gigabits per second, which is an increase by over 200 per cent from 2020.