NCC releases 2020 Subscriber/Network Data Report

Introduction

Chapter One :

The provision of up to date industry statistics is a responsibility imposed by the Nigerian Commissions Commission through the provisions of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 which empowers the commission to amongst other functions:

• Facilitate private investment and entry into the Nigerian telecoms Market for the provision of telecoms services as well as supply of equipment and facilities
• Licensing companies to provide communications services
• Create much needed conducive environment for investors in the telecoms environment
• Ensure fair competition amongst players in the industry
• Ensure subscribers are protected from unfair practices by telecommunications providers

The collection, collation and analysis of the 2020 Year End Subscriber/ Network Report for the period January–December 2020 provides the following highlights.

A documentation of questionnaires to four (4) Categories of operators:

1. Mobile (GSM )

1. Fixed Telephony Operators (Fixed/ Fixed Wireless)

• Internet Service Providers (ISPS)

1. Others Operators (Operators Other than Mobile & Fixed Telephony, ISP’s)

1. Telecoms Industry Network/Subscriber Statistics– Subscriber number increased from 184,699.409 subscribers in 2019 to 204,601,313 active voice subscriptions as at December 2020 with an increase 19,901,904 subscriptions. This represents about 78% increase in total subscription within the period under consideration.

2. Teledensity –Nigeria`s teledensity increased from 76% as at December 2019 to 107.18% by December 31^st

3. Broadband Penetration increased from 37.80% as at December 2019 to 45.02% as at December, 2020. Similarly, Broadband Subscriptions increased from 72,153,824 subscriptions in December 2019 to 89,941,222 subscriptions as at December 2020.

4. Contribution to the (GDP) – Telecoms industry contribution to the Nigerian Gross Domestic Products increased from 10.60% in the Fourth Quarter, 2019 to 45%in the fourth quarter of 2020.

5. Capital Inflow (Foreign Direct Investment) into the Nigerian Telecoms Industry in Year 2020 was approximately (USD 417,481,615.30) FourHundred and Seventeen Billion Four Hundred and Eighty One Million Six Hundred and Fifteen Million US Dollars Thirty cents against USD 942, 863,833.96 (Nine Hundred and Forty Two Million Eight Hundred and Sixty Three Thousand   Eight Hundred and Thirty Three US Dollars and Ninety Six Cents as at Year 2019. (Source CBN).

This translates to a decline of 55.7% in Capital Importation year on year. The decline in capital importation was largely attributed by the Operators to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic that distorted global businesses and  impacted businesses negatively.

CAPEX (domestic investment) stood at N408, 151,627,158.62 as at Year 2020 based on submissions from responsive Licensees. The CAPEX investment declined by 18.62% due to probably challenges of the global pandemic in Year 2020.