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Uptick in GSM Internet Subscription By 15% YoY To Stand At 123.2m

Mobile Money and Telcos	1836 VIEWS
Mobile Money and Telcos
1836 VIEWS

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Monday, December 23, 2019 /09:55 AM / By FBNQuest Research / Header Image Credit: rednbox

The latest data released by the NCC, the industry regulator, show that internet subscriptions stood at 123.2 million in October, representing y/y growth of 15%. The figure implies density of 62% in a population estimated at 198 million, placing Nigeria well above the African average of around 16% as indicated by McKinsey. In October there were c.414,000 new internet subscriptions. Given that mobile network operators rarely provide uninterrupted network services, subscribers tend to purchase multiple SIM cards to enable access across networks in a bid to stay connected on separate data packages.

MTN Nigeria (MTNN) accounted for the largest share (42%) of total subscriptions. We note that it recorded 488,000 new internet subscriptions in October compared with 73,000 additional subscriptions recorded in September. Following the NCC's approval of the 800 MHz spectrum band in Q2 2019, MTNN was able to increase its 4G coverage to >35%. We assume this partly contributed to the significant increase in its new internet subscriptions.

Among the mobile network operators, Airtel and MTNN recorded m/m increases in internet subscriptions: 1.3% and 0.9% respectively. Meanwhile, 9mobile and Globacom posted decreases of -1.4% m/m and -1.3% m/m respectively.

Internet subscriptions are directly correlated with electronic transactions. The latest data on electronic payments released by the National Bureau of Statistics show that mobile payments accounted for 14% of the total volume of electronic payments in Q3 2019.

Internet subscriptions (% chg; m/m)

Proshare Nigeria Pvt. Ltd.

Sources: Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); FBNQuest Capital Research

According to the NCC, broadband penetration stands at 38%. The FGN targets 76% by next year. In our opinion doubling current penetration over the next 12 months is an ambitious target. The sector still requires significant investment in telecommunications infrastructure to drive broadband penetration and affordability, and Nigeria's digital transformation.