MTN Maintains Highest Number of Inward Porting as Nigeria’s Internet Data Usage Rises 

Emma Okonji

Statistics released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has revealed that MTN Nigeria maintained its lead in the number of incoming porting data in one year.

According to the statistics, from November 2022 to November 2023, MTN maintained a steady lead in mobile number portability for all incoming (inward) porting, among other telecoms operators like Airtel, Globacom and 9mobile.

The statistics, which THISDAY obtained from NCC’s website, also showed a steady rise in the volume of internet data usage across networks from February 2023 to November 2023.

From the statistics, the total number of inward porting in November 2022 was 2,299, while MTN alone had 1,680, followed by Globacom with 263 inward porting and Airtel with 239 inward porting. 9mobile had 117 inward porting.

In December 2022, the total number of inward porting was 2,829, while MTN alone had 1,812 inward porting, followed by Globacom with 749 inward porting and Airtel with 154 inward porting. 9mobile had 114 inward porting. In January 2023, the total number of inward porting was 2,581, and MTN alone had 1,688 inward porting on its network, followed by Airtel with 538 inward porting and Globacom with 229 inward porting. 9mobile had 126 inward porting. In February 2023, the total number of inward porting was 2,021, and MTN alone had 1,522 inward porting, followed by Airtel with 284 inward porting and Globacom with 138 inward porting. 9mobile had 77 inward porting. In March and April 2023, the total number of inward porting were 2,253 and 3,076 respectively, while MTN alone had 1,555 and 2,096 inward porting respectively, followed by Airtel with 351 and 643 inward porting respectively, and Globacom with 253 and 243 inward porting respectively. 9mobile had   94 and 94 inward porting respectively. In the months of May and June 2023, the total number of inward porting across networks were 2,992 and 2.321 respectively, and MTN alone had 2,138 and 1,545 inward porting respectively, followed by Airtel with 512 and 538 inward porting respectively and Globacom with 256 and 145 inward porting respectively. 9mobile had 86 and 93 inward porting respectively. In the months of July and August 2023, the total number of inward porting were 4,077 and 2,592  respectively, and MTN alone led with 3,410 and 1,682 inward porting respectively, followed by Airtel with 503 and 749 inward porting respectively and 9mobile with 121 and 96 inward porting respectively. Globacom had 43 and 65 inward porting respectively. In the months of September and October 2023, the total number of inward porting were 3,389 and 3,217 respectively, and again MTN led with 2,346 and 1,925 inward porting respectively, followed by Airtel with 784 and 1,034 respectively, and Globacom with 191 and 132 inward porting respectively. 9mobile had 68 and 126 inward porting respectively. In November 2023, the total number of inward porting was 2,433, and MTN also led with 1,470 inward porting, followed by Airtel with 668 inward porting and Globacom with 211 inward porting. 9mobile had 84 inward porting in November 2023.   

 Inward porting is the voluntary movement of subscribers from other networks into a particular network, in search of better quality of service, while outward porting is the voluntary movement of telecoms subscribers from a particular network to other networks of choice in search of better quality of service.

In number porting, subscribers are at liberty to port their mobile phone number to another network while maintaining their original number on the new network of choice. Telecoms subscribers are allowed to port if they are not satisfied with the quality of service rendered by their network operator, provided they are willing to abide to the telecoms’ rule to remain on the new network for a minimum of 90 days before they are allowed to port out of the new network.    

Concerning the data about the volume of internet data usage across networks, the NCC statistics revealed that in February 2023, the volume of internet data usage was 507,307.37 terabytes. In March, it increased to 562,960.57 terabytes, but dropped slightly in April to 556,540.42, and picked up again in May 2023 to reach 581,472.8 terabytes. In June 2023, Nigeria’s internet data usage increased again to reach 587,865.58 terabytes and it further increased in July and August 2023 to reach 615,207.39 and 655,879.86 terabytes respectively. The internet data usage however dropped slightly in September 2023 to 653,257.86 terabytes, but increased again to 675,250.54 terabytes in October 2023, before dropping slightly in November 2023 to 645,404.1 terabytes.