GSM Maintains Dominance as Active Data Internet Subscribers in Nigeria Reach 142 Million

As of January 2025, Nigeria’s active data internet subscribers reached 142.16 million, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The breakdown revealed that GSM technology remains the dominant player in the market, with 141.66 million subscribers, followed by smaller numbers for Wireless and VoIP technologies. Fixed Wired technology has the least number of subscribers, with only 14,053 users, while no active subscribers use the Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) technology anymore, marking its obsolescence in the country’s data landscape.

From August 2024 to January 2025, the number of GSM data subscribers steadily increased from 130 million to 141 million. Meanwhile, the figures for Wireless and VoIP technologies remained relatively stable, with slight fluctuations in their subscriber numbers. Fixed Wired technology saw a gradual but consistent rise in its subscriber base, from 8,680 in August 2024 to 14,053 by January 2025.

GSM technology’s lead in Nigeria’s internet market is attributed to its rapid deployment and the preference for mobile browsing on the go, as explained by Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON). This widespread adoption of mobile internet services contrasts with the dwindling popularity of other technologies, particularly CDMA, which has become obsolete with the rise of GSM networks.

The NCC’s statistics highlight the continued growth of mobile data subscriptions in Nigeria, driven by the increasing adoption of GSM technology. As technology evolves, the data landscape is shifting, with mobile internet usage taking the forefront due to its convenience and accessibility across the country.

source: this day