The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) report has revealed that Internet services in the nation are currently predominantly run on 2G and 3G networks, but added that 4G coverage is available to about 37 per cent of the population.
NCC also noted that download speeds are still uncompetitive with nations in the same income bracket as Nigeria.
However, telcos have begun to increase their investments in 4G infrastructure MTN Nigeria Communications Plc and Airtel Africa invested a combined N208.56bn in fourth-generation network and other capital expenditure in the first quarter of 2022.
Details from MTN showed that it rolled out 2,260 4G sites in the first quarter of the year to boost penetration.
In its earnings report for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, the company said, “Capital expenditure in the period was up by 80.8 per cent off a lower base in Q1 2021 and aggressive coverage expansion to capture growth opportunities, focusing on the 4G network and rural telephony programme. “We are also frontloading some of our capex plan for the year as part of risk mitigation on supply chain disruption. Core capex, excluding the right of use assets, increased by 156.8 per cent, with capex intensity of 17.2 per cent remaining within target levels.
