Mobile GSM Technology Leads in Internet Connectivity as Subscribers Prioritizes 2G Ahead 5G Services

Emma Okonji

The percentage of subscribers that are utilising telecommunications services per the various mobile phone generations like 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G currently deployed in Nigeria, shows that telecoms subscribers are utilising more of the 2G technology service offering than the 5G technology service offering.

This is just as Mobile GSM technology tops other technologies like the Fixed Wired, Wired/Wireless and VoIP technologies currently deployed for internet connectivity by licensed internet service providers in Nigeria.  

The recent statistics released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which THISDAY obtained from its official website, showed that the percentage of subscribers that utilised 2G services in the months of May, June and July 2023, was 58.36 per cent, 59.24 per cent and 60.85 per cent respectively, while the percentage of subscribers that utilised 5G services within the same period was 0.12 per cent, 0.14 per cent and 0.13 per cent respectively.

The statistics further revealed that the percentage of subscribers that utilised 3G services in the months of May, June and July 2023, was 16.46 per cent, 15.46 per cent and 14.85 per cent respectively, while the percentage of subscribers that utilised 4G services within the same period was 25.06 per cent, 25.16 per cent and 24.16 per cent respectively.

The NCC statistics also revealed that a total of 159,534,913 active internet subscribers in the country, connected to the internet via the various technology platforms such as the Mobile GSM, Fixed Wired, Wired/Wireless and VoIP technologies deployed by licensed service providers, in the month of July, 2023.

The statistics further revealed that out of the total number of 159,534,913 active internet subscribers in the month of July 2023, 158,982,962 subscribers connected to the internet via Mobile GSM technology, while 326,241 subscribers connected to the internet via Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP technology), and only 208,612 subscribers connected to the internet via Wired/wireless technology, while a paltry 17,098 subscribers connected to the internet via Fixed wired technology in July 2023. 

The statistics revealed that Mobile GSM technology maintained a leading position in the number of subscribers that connected to the internet via various technologies provided by licensed internet service providers, since January 2023.

According to the statistics, in January 2023, 155,675,178 subscribers connected to the internet, via Mobile GSM technology, 348,236 connected to the internet via VoIP technology, 204,810 connected via Wired/wireless technology, while only 16,144 connected to the internet via Fixed wired technology.    

In February 2023, 156,420,881 subscribers connected to the internet, via Mobile GSM technology, 345,422 connected to the internet via VoIP technology, 204,810 connected via Wired/wireless technology, while only 16,320 connected to the internet via Fixed wired technology.  

In March 2023, 156,898,223 subscribers connected to the internet, via Mobile GSM technology, 340,614 connected to the internet via VoIP technology, 204,810 connected via Wired/wireless technology, while only 16,457 connected to the internet via Fixed wired technology.   

In April 2023, 157,667,708 subscribers connected to the internet, via Mobile GSM technology, 338,693 connected to the internet via VoIP technology, 208,612 connected via Wired/wireless technology, while only 16,531 connected to the internet via Fixed wired technology.   

In May 2023, 159,038,028 subscribers connected to the internet, via Mobile GSM technology, 335,121 connected to the internet via VoIP technology, 208,612 connected via Wired/wireless technology, while only 16,690 connected to the internet via Fixed wired technology.   

In June 2023, 158,944,660 subscribers connected to the internet, via Mobile GSM technology, 328,657 connected to the internet via VoIP technology, 208,612 connected via Wired/wireless technology, while only 16,897 connected to the internet via Fixed wired technology.   

Commenting about the less utilisation of 5G services, compared to the more utilisation of 2G services by telecoms subscribers, the Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, told THISDAY that 5G technology, as an emerging technology, was recently introduced into the Nigerian telecoms market, after 2G, 3G and 4G technologies were long introduced. He however said more subscribers would utilise the 5G technologies, as more operators roll out 5G networks across more states.