Mobile subscriptions across all networks fell by 666,032 in March, as statistics from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) showed that subscription dropped from 219,970,313 in February to 219,304,281 in March, according to the updated data released yesterday.
The latest report confirms a fluctuating trend in mobile subscription in the country in five months, starting from November 2023. Last November, mobile subscription was 223.2 million; it went up to 224.7 million in December 2023. By January 2024, the figure dropped by 6.3 million to end the month at 218.4 million. It leaped by 1.57 million to end at 219.9 in February. By March, the networks shed 666,032.
Checks by The Guardian showed that the National Identification Number (NIN)-SIM linkage exercise, leading to the barring of some telephones lines, which the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) put at about 40 million as of February 28 and March 29, were also responsible.
Also, the impacts of the sluggish economy have equally affected consumers’ disposable incomes, which, hitherto, were spent on calls and data.
Further checks on the NCC data showed that 2G remained a network with much reach in the country, with 56.97 per cent penetration; 4G as of March was 32.74 per cent; 3G, 9.04 per cent and 5G, 1.24 per cent.
Internet users via the narrowband, the GSM, as of March 2024 was 164.3 million, where the GSM platforms had 163.8 million users; Fixed Wired, 21,092 users; ISP (wired/wireless), 213,876 and VoIP, 238,139 customers.
Broadband subscription was 43.53 per cent with 94.3 million users across the country.
Already, experts have called for support for the telecoms sector in order for it to contribute more to the economy.
At a forum in Lagos, the Chief Executive Officer of Financial Derivatives Company, Bismarck Rewane, emphasised the telecoms sector’s critical role in driving economic growth, innovation, and productivity across various industries.
Rewane, in his presentation, titled: “Nigerian Economy on the Brink, Adapt or Collapse?” highlighted the sector’s challenges, including rising inflation, high operating costs, limited access to foreign exchange, regulatory burdens, multiple taxations and state and local government extortion.
He stressed that these challenges are threatening the sector’s growth and development, citing MTN’s reported loss in the 2023 financial year.
The expert’s comments aligned with telecoms operators’ push for cost-reflective tariffs, which they deemed necessary due to adverse economic headwinds.
Rewane emphasised that the current situation is having a detrimental impact on the sector’s growth and development, warning that the revenue potential from telecoms may start falling, leading to a ripple effect on other sectors.
