Nigeria’s internet users dropped by .3m in June, NCC says

Internet users in the country decreased by 347, 604 in June 2018, sliding from 103,152,726 million recorded in May to 102,805,122m ,  data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has revealed. Th e NCC data, taken from its Monthly Internet Subscribers Data for June 2018 pasted on its website Wednesday, showed Airtel gained more internet subscribers during the month under review, while MTN, 9Mobile and Globalcom lost many of their subscribers.

The NCC didn’t give reason for the drop, but an industry analyst said this might not be unconnected with slight increase in data tariff s by the operators. The breakdown revealed that Airtel gained 162,711 new internet users, increasing subscription to its services from 26,548,338 million in May to 26, 711,049 in June. MTN, according to the data, lost 253,612 internet users in June amounting to 38, 937,473 as against 39,191,085 recorded in May. It said that Globacom also lost 36,187 internet users decreasing its subscription to 26, 571,254 in June from 26,607,441 recorded in May. It said 9mobile lost 222,516 internet users in June decreasing its subscription to 10,585,346 as against 10,807,862 recorded in May.

Meanwhile, the NCC has yet to decide on whether to allow MTN Nigeria to continue using the 800MHz spectrum it acquired along with Visafone licence or disallow the telecom company from using the spectrum. Airtel and 9mobile are kicking against allowing MTN access to 800MHz, saying it will allow for unfair competition in favour of the South African company. Th e Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof Umar Garba Danbatta had said in June that the commission would make an informed decision on the issue, consistent with its mandate to create enabling environment for eff ective competition. He disclosed this at a public inquiry on the transfer of licence and resources, including 800MHz spectrum from Visafone Communications Limited to MTN Nigeria held at the NCC headquarters Abuja. He said its decision on the matter would also ensure the provision of qualitative and effi cient telecommunications services throughout the country.