NCC raises alarm over 2.3 million declining subscribers

Nigerian Communication Commission, NCC, says the number of active lines in the country has decreased from about 144.9 million in May to 142.6 million in June, showing some 2.289 million shortfall.

This is made this known in NCC’s monthly Subscriber/Operator Data made available on its Website.

It would be recalled that Nigeria is reputed as the fastest growing telecom economy in Africa,following the introduction of the Global Satellite for Mobile, GSM, Telecommunication in 2001 by the Federal Government.

The NCC said that the decrease of 2.289 million subscribers in June has implications for the economy, showing that the bubble may be bursting.

The Code Division Multiple Access, CDMA, had 217,566 users in June, same with the result in May.

The report said that the Fixed Wire Less for June was 142,316 and 142,496, also recording a decrease of 180.

According to the report, Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) for June was 49,870, while in May, it was 46,348, recording an increase of 3,522.

Teledensity for May was 102.19; and June, 103.82, recording a decrease in teledensity.

Teledensity is the number of telephone connections for every hundred individuals living within an area. It varies widely across the nation.

The NCC said that the number of connected lines in June was 236.8 million; and for June, it was 238.7 million, showing a decrease of 1. 8million.

The Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) had 3.5 million in June same with the result in May.

The number of fixed wire/wireless for June was 342,011, as against 341,574 in May; recording an increase of 437.

According to NCC, Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) for June was 177,406, while that of May, was 164,861; with an increase 1,254.5.

Analysts say the poor showing of the sector in the economy can be attributed to the recession in the country, which has depleted the finances of individuals and firms.