Active voice subscribers in Nigeria fell nearly 6% quarter-on-quarter, while active internet subscribers fell over 6%, according to the Telecoms Data report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.
Telecoms data for Q1 2021 reflected that a total of 192,413,613 subscribers were active on voice as against 204,601,313 in Q4 2020. This represented a -5.96% decrease in voice subscriptions QoQ.
Similarly, a total of 144,949,194 subscribers were active on the internet as against 154,301,195 in Q4 2020. This represented a -6.06% decrease in internet subscriptions QoQ.
In terms of active voice per state, Lagos has the highest number of subscribers in Q1 2021 at 23,247,293. It is closely followed by Ogun state (11,313,659) and Kano state (10,987,035) respectively while Bayelsa (1,417,927) and Ebonyi state (1,705,810) have the least number of subscribers.
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MTN has the highest share of active voice subscriptions at 75,927,231. It is closely followed by GLO, AIRTEL, with 52,918,718 and 50,384,950 respectively.
All operators including MTN and Glo recorded a decline in active voice subscribers in the quarter under review compared to Q4 2020. MTN recorded 5.99% decline while Glo recorded 3.50% decline.
However, Year-on-year, MTN, Glo and 9Mobile recorded increases in active voice subscription of 7.49%, 3.2%, 2.05% and 6.0% respectively. Whereas Airtel registered a decline of 1.78%.
Thus, Glo registered the highest percentage increment year-on-year. On the other hand, 9Mobile active internet subscribers declined by 17.3%
Similarly, Lagos State has the highest number of subscribers in terms of active internet per State in Q1 2021 at 17,591,255. It is closely followed by Ogun State (8,694,763) and Kano State (6,329,251) respectively while Bayelsa (1,056,439) and Ebonyi State (1,242,448) have the least number of subscribers.
MTN has the highest share of active internet subscriptions at 61,575,323. It is closely followed by GLO, AIRTEL, respectively.
All operators including MTN and Glo recorded a decline in active internet subscribers in the quarter under review compared to Q4 2020. MTN record 5.79% decline while Glo recorded 3.24% decline.
However, Year-on-year, MTN, Glo and Airtel recorded increases in active internet subscription of 7.49%, 14.57% and 2.58% respectively.
Thus, Glo registered the highest percentage increment year-on-year. On the other hand, 9Mobile active internet subscription declined by 17.3%.
Ifunanya Ikueze is an Engineer, Safety Professional, Writer, Investor, Entrepreneur and Educator.