Despite Starlink’s internet popularity in Nigeria, carriers in Africa’s largest country recorded a total of 156 million active users to data services in February, according to the most recent information from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
With 66.7 million active internet users in the reviewed month, MTN was the main driver of the growth. Airtel came in second with 41.9 million, followed by Globacom with 43.4 million and 9Mobile with 4.3 million.
The rise shows that customers are spending more money on data and that businesses are maximising internet adoption to drive output, according to Ajibola Olude, executive secretary of the Association of telecoms firms of Nigeria (ATCON).
“More people can access the internet and sign up for services when internet service providers increase their service areas and offer more affordable plans.”
He claims that because all of this innovation depends on SIMs to carry out various tasks, the increase also demonstrates the Internet of Things and bots have begun to acquire traction in the Nigerian digital realm.