In November 2023, active internet subscriptions in Nigeria reached a remarkable 162 million, according to data released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). This figure marks a 0.6% increase from the 161.1 million subscriptions recorded in October of the same year.
The data from NCC further indicates that mobile network operators such as MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile continue to dominate the internet market, accounting for 161.5 million subscriptions, which represents 99.6% of the total subscriptions. Meanwhile, Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) operators, including Smile Communications and Ntel, contributed 354,909 subscriptions, while other Internet Service Providers (ISPs) accounted for 208,612 subscriptions.
Despite the significant growth in internet subscriptions, the adoption of 5G technology remains relatively low in Nigeria. As of November 2023, only 0.96% of subscriptions were on 5G networks. This indicates a slow uptake of the technology, despite its potential to offer significantly faster internet speeds.
The NCC’s data also reveals that a considerable portion of Nigerian subscribers still rely on older generations of network technology. Approximately 59.32% of subscribers are still using 2G networks, while 9.81% are on 3G connections. Although 4G subscriptions have been available since 2016, they only accounted for 29.91% of subscriptions as of November 2023.
Globally, the expansion of 5G technology has prompted internet service providers to phase out older technologies. For example, major providers like AT&T and T-Mobile have already shut down their 3G services, and others, such as Verizon and Vodafone, plan to follow suit by discontinuing support for 3G-enabled devices in the near future.
The transition from older network technologies like 3G to more advanced options like 5G reflects the ongoing evolution of telecommunications infrastructure worldwide. As technology continues to advance, it is expected that Nigeria and other countries will increasingly adopt newer and faster network technologies to meet the growing demands of consumers and businesses alike.
