Nigeria’s active mobile subscribers hit 203.5m

• Battle for data leadership continues among operators

As 4.2 million new telephone lines were connected in Nigeria in the month of August, the country active mobile telephone subscribers’ base has risen to 203.5 million even as the teledencity rose by 2,2 per cent to 106 .6 per cent from 104.4 per cent in the preceding month of July.

This is according to the August subscription data released on Wednesday by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

Apart from improve subscribers base, the data also showed improvement in Internet usage, with over two million new people joining the fray. The figure rose from 146 million in July to 149 million in the month under review. Broadband also shot up, as penetration hit 43.3 per cent, and some 82 million Nigerians now benefit from high-speed Internet.

The statistics equally revealed that 9Mobile attracted more subscribers, acquiring four million fresh customers between June and August. With a market penetration of 6.09 per cent, the telecommunications company now boasts of 12.4 million users.

On the other hand, Globacom and Airtel were in supremacy battle as the newest data rated Airtel higher, having 54.8 million subscribers and 26.96 per cent market reach while Globacom had 52.9 million users, and 26.1 per cent penetration.

MTN remained the largest operator both by penetration and market share. As at August, the South African telecoms firm had a 40.9 per cent penetration, and served 83 million Nigerians.