NCC Records 413% Rise In Data Usage Despite Low Broadband

The Nigerian Communications Commission has recorded an increased in data usage despite boasting a less than 50 per cent broadband penetration in four years.

According to NCC, Nigeria’s Internet data usage increased from 68,154.12 terabytes in 2018 to 350,165.39 terabytes and a broadband penetration increased from 19.97 per cent (38.12 million) in January 2018 to 40.88 per cent (78.04 million) in 2021.

There was also rise in GSM Internet subscribers from 100.23 million in January 2018 to 141.62 million.

When data usage increased from 68,154.12TB in December 2018 to 125,149.86TB as of December 2019, the NCC had said, “The increase in data usage is directly linked to the increased Broadband penetration in the country within the year.

‘The commission provided the necessary regulator support for Operators to implement the various initiatives within the year that increased data usage in the country.”

In 2020, when data consumption increased from 123,648TB in December 2019 to 205,880.4TB as of December 2020, the commission added, “The increase in data usage is directly linked to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted normal activities and most functions had to be held virtually including schools, corporate meetings etc.”

Increasing smartphone and 4G coverage have been linked to the recent growth in the nation’s data usage. Data consumption grew from 205,880.4TB in December 2020 to 350,165.39TB in December 2021.