According to the telecom industry statistics for the second quarter of 2020, released by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, on July 28, 2020, telecom subscribers in Nigeria as at June 30, 2020, stands at 196,379,542, with a teledensity of 102.88%.
When compared with the number of subscribers totaling 174,024,116 and a teledensity of 91.17%, as at June 30, 2019, this shows an increase by 22,355,426 subscribers, over a one-year period.
This is as broadband penetration rose to 78,784,226 subscribers 41.27% as at June 30, 2020, translating to 41.27%, compared to 63,593,329 subscribers, translating to 33.31%, as at June 30, 2019.
This is an increase, by 15,908,897 or an increase by 23.89%, over the year.
MTN is still, currently leading the pack, having the highest number of subscribers, with 78,754,855 subscribers, representing 40.17% of the telecom subscriber share.
Globacom, the indigenous telco, comes second, with 52,573,907 subscribers, representing a telecom subscriber share of 26.82% and closely followed by Airtel, with 52,462,347 subscribers, representing 26.76% of the subscriber share.
9Mobile followed with 12,111,674 subscribers, representing 6.18% of the telecom subscriber share and Visafone, coming a distant 5th with 137,086 subscribers, representing 0.07% of the telecom subscribers in Nigeria, as at June 30, 2020.
The statistics, also, show that, internet subscriber data, as at June 30, 2020, stands at 143,725,634 compared to the figure of 122,673,623 as at June 30, 2019.
This indicates an improvement in data subscribers over the year, by 21,052,011, which represents 17.16% increase, over the period.
These statistics show a steady progress being recorded in the telecom industry. With the inauguration of the National Broadband Plan Implementation Steering Committee, inaugurated a few weeks back, by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, the statistics are expected to improve, at an accelerated pace, when the committee fully starts work.
The contribution of the telecom industry to Nigeria’s GDP, as at June 30, 2020, is still being awaited, however, as at March 31, 2020, the industry contributed 10.88% to the GDP of Nigeria.
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