Nigeria experiences rise in active phone calls, internet subscriptions

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says there has been a steady increase in active voice and internet subscriptions in Nigeria.

The NCC further noted a decline in teledensity, as indicated in the latest telecommunications statistical indicators. These metrics have been adjusted to incorporate the most recent population growth figures, aligning with international best practices.

According to a statement from Dr. Reuben Muoka, NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, the adjustment was based on the Nigerian Population Commission (NPC)’s projection of Nigeria’s population, now standing at 216,783,381 as of 2022. This replaces the previous projection of 190 million people from 2017.

“With the consequential adjustment, which is in line with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)’s calculation of teledensity, the nation’s teledensity dropped from 115.63 per cent to 102.30 per cent in September.

“While broadband penetration witnessed a similar drop from 45.47 per cent to 40.85 per cent in the same month. The active voice subscription statistics witnessed a marginal growth from 220,361,186 to 221,769,883 as of September 2023.

“In addition, Internet subscriptions also enjoyed a marginal growth, from 159,034,717 in August 2023 to 160,171,757 in September 2023,” he said.

In October 2023, the industry saw a 0.19% growth in active voice subscriptions with a teledensity of 102.49%. Internet subscriptions also rose by 0.60% compared to September 2023, according to Mouka.

The director stated that in November of the same year, the industry witnessed a 0.46% growth in active voice subscriptions, reaching a teledensity of 102.97%. Additionally, there was a 0.57% increase in internet subscriptions compared to October 2023.

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“Teledensity is an index prescribed by the International Telecommunications Union, ITU, for the measurement of telephone penetration in a population by a factor of one line per 100 individuals in the population.

“The adjustment by the Commission is consistent with Section 89 Subsection 3(d) of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 (NCA 2003).

“The Commission is mandated to monitor and report on the state of the Nigerian telecommunications industry, provide statistical analysis and identify industry trends concerning services, tariffs, operators, technology, subscribers, and issues of competition,” Mouka said.

The Executive Vice-Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, endorsed the nation’s telecom statistical adjustment process as a prudent measure to uphold the integrity of data pertaining to the Nigerian telecom industry. This process involves collecting, collating, and publishing information by the Commission.

Maida stated that this would ensure accurate measurement of the Commission’s progress towards increasing broadband penetration rates, improving service quality, and expanding population coverage.

He mentioned that such data provides information for the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), of which Nigeria is a member, as well as other development agencies, operators, investors, multilateral agencies, and the public.