Internet subscriptions reach 164 million as voice users drop by 3% – NBS

Nigeria’s telecom sector saw a surge in internet subscriptions to 164 million in Q1 2024, while voice users dropped 3 per cent, the National Bureau of Statistics said.

NBS Telecom Data report released on Monday, revealed, that “the total number of active voice subscribers in Q1 2024 was 219,304,281 from the 226,161,713 reported in Q1 2023, indicating a growth rate of –3.03 per cent. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, active voice subscribers fell by 2.41 per cent.

“Also, in Q1 2024, the total number of active internet subscribers stood at 164,368,292 from 157,551,104 reported in Q1 2023, showing an increase of 4.33 per cent on a quarter-on-quarter basis, this grew by 0.32 per cent,” it added.

According to the Bureau, Lagos State led in both categories with 25.96 million active voice subscribers and 18.84 million active internet subscribers.

Ogun and Kano followed closely behind in internet subscriptions, with 9.53 million and 9.07 million, respectively, while Bayelsa recorded the lowest figures in both voice and internet users.

The report noted that MTN solidified its market lead in Q1 2024, commanding the largest share of subscriptions.

The telecom giant recorded 81.8 million voice subscribers and 69.4 million internet users. Globacom followed closely in second place, with 62.2 million voice subscribers and 44.4 million internet users.

Airtel came in third, with 63.4 million voice subscribers and 46.8 million internet users. 9mobile trailed behind, with 11.7 million voice subscribers and 3.3 million internet users.