Internet Usage Drops as MTN, Glo, Airtel and 9mobile lose Data subscribers

The four major internet providers in the country, MTN, Airtel, Glo and 9Mobile have lost a huge number of subscribers between March 2021 and April 2021, therefore leading to the decline of internet usage by these network subscribers.

Analysis obtained from the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) shows that these major internet providers lost 1.27 million data subscribers in May 2021, 3.17 million in April and 3.55 million in March, 2021.

The NIN-SIM ban has also been one of the causes of the persistent turndown of data subscribers in the country.

The data war between these four network providers has continued to take a dramatic turn with the continuous loss of subscribers.

MTN has lost the highest rate of subscribers, as a total of 2.64 million have dumped the y’ello network between March 2021 and May 2021.

Airtel leads behind with the second-highest loss after 1.07 million subscribers left the network in 30 days.

9Mobile has experienced the lowest loss in subscribers’ base, with 6.63 million, below the 6.88 million the data provider reported before the period under review.

According to Nairametrics, Telecom export, Olugbenga Akintunde states that some of the decline these network providers face could be attributed to a number of factors.

Some of which include pricing, service quality, and the presence of alternative Internet Service Providers.

Nigeria service providers have been losing subscribers consecutively for months. The loss began in the fourth quarter of last year, and MTN, Airtel, Glo and 9mobile seem to be unable to stop this growing issue.

Also, the inflation rate on prices of things in the country has reduced the purchasing power of Nigerians, as data cost has become the highest in Africa.