9mobile Losses Over 340,000 Subscribers As Glo And Airtel Continue Data War

 

9mobile continues to lose subscribers every month to its rival, MTN, Glo and Airtel. It has become a tradition for the network provider as hardly any month passes without hundreds of thousands of subscribers dumping 9mobile in pursuit of better options in the market. In a recent industry check by AllNews, it was gathered that over 342,000 subscribers dumped 9mobile's voice (telephony) service.

The number of telephony service subscribers of 9mobile dropped from about 12.5 million in April to 12.2 million in May as active subscribers. Although, 9mobile for the first time this year recorded growth in April after its subscribers increased from 12.1 million in March to 12.5 million in April, 2020. But 9mobile was unable to maintain the growth as it lost over 342,000 subscribers in one month.

While 9mobile continued to lose subscribers, Visafone's subscriber figure has remained stagnant for the past four months since February, holding onto the 137,086 subscribers it dropped to after the figure declined from the 138,144 subscribers it recorded in January this year.

Meanwhile, despite 9mobile and Visafone's inability to grow their subscriber base, Airtel, Globacom and MTN had no problem in doing so, as they all recorded growth in their subscriber rate for voice service. The growth of the big three led to slight growth in the industry's total telephony subscribers, rising from 190.4 million to 191.9 million.

The Gainers Of The Telecoms Industry

Airtel Nigeria, which holds the third-largest share of the industry, accounting for 26.83% of the market, gained over 237,000 subscribers within the same period 9mobile dropped over 342,000 subscribers. Airtel Nigeria's subscriber base for voice service grew from 51.2 million in April to 51.4 million in May 2020.

Globacom, the only Nigerian-owned network provider, which accounts for 27.12% of the market share, increased its subscriber base by over 218,000 subscribers. AllNews gathered that Glo's subscribers climbed from 51.8 million of April to 52 million the next month, to maintain its second-largest share in the market.

Meanwhile, the market leader, MTN Nigeria, which holds 39.61% of the market share, maintained its grip on the telecoms market after gaining over 1.3 million subscribers. MTN Nigeria's subscriber growth is more than double of its rivals' subscriber growth in May 2020. MTN Nigeria's subscriber base for telephony service rises to 76 million in May from 74.6 million in April.

Data War Is between Airtel And Glo, Not MTN

The data war doesn't involve MTN Nigeria again, as the company has achieved legendary status, as other network providers have to overcome themselves before they think of aiming a jab at MTN Nigeria's jugular on the data war table. Currently, MTN Nigeria is over 20 million miles ahead of Airtel Nigeria, Glo and 9mobile.

MTN Nigeria flexed its muscle in May after it garnered over 882,000 subscribers to its data service. MTN Nigeria's data subscribers grew from 57.9 million in April to hit 58.8 million data subscribers. Airtel comes second on the data war table, slightly ahead of Glo, with 37.3 million data subscribers it recorded in May this year.

Airtel Nigeria had gained 448,505 subscribers in May, to take its total data subscribers from 36.8 million to the 37.3 million it recorded two months ago. Meanwhile, Globacom recorded the highest growth in data subscriber base after over 1.2 million subscribed to its data service. Glo's increase in May intensifies the competition between the green and red network providers, as Glo climbed from 35.9 million to hit 37.2 million data subscribers.

The growth of MTN, Glo and Airtel Nigeria in voice and data subscriber base shows the enormous problem in 9mobile. Subscribers often leave network providers for network issues, internet speed and tariff rates - 9mobile's competitors have been able to balance all to lure more subscribers, while 9mobile has continued to struggle where its rivals have excelled.