MTN Leads Nigeria’s Mobile Internet Revolution, As Airtel, Glo Show Steady Gains

Nigeria’s mobile internet market is undergoing significant transformation, with MTN solidifying its dominance as the market leader, according to the 2024 nPerf Barometer report.

The report, which evaluates the performance of mobile operators based on critical metrics like download speed, upload speed, latency, and video streaming, highlights how the country’s telecom players are shaping user experience.

To get the operators’ internet performance, nPerf said it utilized extensive tests conducted during both busy hours (6 PM to 11 PM) and idle hours, ensuring a comprehensive analysis of user experiences.

“Busy hours, marked by network strain, can impact user experience through congestion. This approach helps in understanding how network performance fluctuates throughout the day,” it said.

MTN emerged as the top performer in all major categories, including download and upload speeds, latency, and video streaming. Notably, the company also maintained its lead in the critical 4G segment, reinforcing its reputation as a pioneer in mobile technology.

nPerf noted MTN’s “remarkable enhancement in Upload speed,” among other achievements, emphasizing its ability to deliver consistently strong performance even during peak usage hours.

While Airtel ranked second overall, it excelled in browsing and video streaming, carving a niche as a vital player in the competitive market. According to nPerf, Airtel’s focus on improving user experience has bolstered its reputation as a reliable provider.

“The operator’s contributions are vital to the market’s competitiveness, and its focus on enhancing user experience is evident,” nPerf stated.

Globacom, the third-largest operator in the market, showed notable improvements in its overall performance. The report acknowledged the company’s contributions to the industry’s competitiveness and its efforts to enhance service delivery.

The report excluded 9mobile, citing insufficient test samples, as the operator accounted for only 2.15 percent of the market by October 2024. nPerf stated that only providers with a test share above 5% were included in the analysis.

Data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) revealed MTN’s overwhelming dominance, with a 51.09 percent market share and 69.5 million internet subscribers as of October 2024. Airtel followed with a 34.61 percent market share and 45.7 million subscribers, while Globacom held 12.15 per cent of the market and 17.1 million subscribers.

As the competition heats up, these figures highlight the evolving dynamics of Nigeria’s mobile internet landscape, with MTN leading the charge and Airtel and Globacom working to close the gap.