Telecom
GSMA Global Mobile Trends Report Highlights Rise of the Mobile Internet

The GSMA has launched its inaugural ‘Global Mobile Trends’ report, offering a vast wealth of data and insight on the state of the mobile ecosystem today and mapping out its future development.
This flagship report, produced by GSMA Intelligence, the research arm of the GSMA, compiles data on mobile subscriber growth trends, mobile internet adoption, devices, and industry financials from both a global and regional perspective.
“This first edition of the annual Global Mobile Trends report pulls together key data and analysis from GSMA Intelligence to present a comprehensive view of the megatrends shaping the global mobile ecosystem,” said Hyunmi Yang, Chief Strategy Officer at the GSMA.
“In this year’s report we demonstrate evidence of a major shift in mobile to Asia, particularly India, which has now overtaken China to become the industry’s key growth market, and the transition to a smartphone-powered ‘mobile-first’ internet, which is delivering a new generation of internet users. The study also underscores the role of Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things in ushering a new era of automation.”
The 2016 edition of the Global Mobile Trends report is organised into five sections: Megatrends; Consumer Insights; Industry Performance and Mobile Ecosystem Dynamics; Future View and Regional View.
Key megatrends covered in the report include:
The Mobile Internet is the Internet
New mobile subscribers are more likely to be younger and are also more likely to be ‘mobile-first’ or ‘mobile-only’ internet users. Today 46 per cent of the global population is using mobile phones to access the internet, a figure forecast to increase to 60 per cent by 2020. As there will only be a minimal increase in the number of fixed internet households over this period, the increase in mobile phone ownership will therefore be the key factor driving global internet penetration. The increasing availability and affordability of 3G/4G devices and networks is also contributing to this phenomenon. Fast-growth markets where mobile internet penetration is currently low include India (32 per cent of the population) and Sub-Saharan Africa (25 per cent).
Smartphones are King – Even in Low-income Markets
The study indicates that smartphones may now be the most commonly owned consumer electronics device. In the UK, for example, smartphone penetration now stands at 71 per cent of mobile connections. This compares to 60-70 per cent across the rest of Europe, 75 per cent in the US, and above 80 per cent in some Asian markets such as South Korea and Singapore. However, smartphone growth has plateaued in most developed markets. By contrast, the smartphone adoption rate in India stands at only 25 per cent and unit volumes are growing by 30 per cent a year. The study predicts that several low-income countries (with per capita GDP below $10,000) will have smartphone adoption rates of 60–70 per cent by 2020, similar to most advanced regions and creating a new base of mobile internet users. This trend is being driven by continued decreases in device costs and rising incomes.
Shift in Revenue Towards Platforms and Content
Revenue from mobile services worldwide is forecast to grow by around 2 per cent annually through to 2020. Organic revenue growth is slowing in line with slowing subscriber growth, but is being offset by new revenue opportunities resulting from rising mobile internet adoption and the move to higher-speed networks. It is projected that annual revenue from voice, SMS and mobile data combined will surpass $1.5 trillion by 2020. However, as a proportion of overall mobile ecosystem revenue, the contribution from these services will fall from 41 per cent today to 38 per cent by 2025. By contrast, revenue from content services – services such as Netflix and Spotify – will increase from 3 per cent of ecosystem revenue today to 17 per cent by 2025.
Artificial Intelligence is Becoming the Super Enabler
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is emerging as the catalyst that will accelerate a number of emerging sectors, including connected cars and smart homes. Personal assistants (or bots) will be one of the early battlegrounds in AI led by the likes of Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Alexa. These services are providing the ‘voice interface’ that can coordinate devices and data across a broad range of applications, creating voice-controlled hubs, with Amazon Echo and Google Home as examples. An ecosystem of AI-focused companies is emerging, comprising both established firms and start-ups. AI attracted $2.3 billion in venture capital last year and is also a major focus of current merger and acquisition activity.
The 2016 edition of the Global Mobile Trends report is based on proprietary GSMA Intelligence data and research, supported by selected data from third-party sources. The GSMA plans to publish this report on an annual basis, providing insights on the mobile ecosystem that will help the industry identify future areas of growth and innovation.
Telecom
MTN @ First-ever CED, Pledges to Address Subscribers’ Concerns

MTN Nigeria, has pledged the company’s renewed commitment to transparency and responsiveness in addressing customer concerns.

Karl Toriola, chief executive officer, MTN Nigeria,
Karl Toriola, chief executive officer, MTN Nigeria, stated this at the telecoms provider its first-ever Customer Engagement Day (CED) in Lagos.
Speaking during the event, Toriola fielded real-time questions from customers, responding to issues ranging from data quality to customer service gaps.
“We’ve invested heavily to build a network that delivers value for money. While data in Nigeria remains among the most affordable globally, our priority is quality and consistency that truly powers ambition. Today is about transparency: answering your questions, listening to your concerns, and showing that MTN is not just a service provider; we are a partner in your journey,” he said.
The company emphasised that the Customer Engagement Day was designed as an open forum for dialogue between MTN executives and customers.
The hybrid event, themed “We See You. We’re With You,” featured sessions on digital literacy, data usage, youth mentorship, and financial inclusion, aimed at improving subscriber experience and usage efficiency.
Ayham Moussa, chief operating officer, MTN Nigeria, in his opening remarks, highlighted the company’s long-standing connection with Nigerians, noting that its operations were built with input from ordinary citizens.
“When MTN began, it was built by people like you: engineers, entrepreneurs, everyday Nigerians. Today, we connect over 80 million people, and our focus remains simple: to stand with you in your hustle, support your ambitions, and make life easier. This journey is about listening, improving daily, and being a shield for homes and businesses across Nigeria,” he said.
A key session on Data Usage and Management offered participants practical guidance on how to manage and conserve data, with many customers raising questions about consumption patterns and transparency in billing.
Ugonwa Nwoye, chief customer relations & experience officer, MTN, stated, “We know how essential data is; it’s how we live, work, and connect. From parents streaming classes to small businesses on Zoom, we see your daily realities. That’s why we’re focused not just on providing data but on helping you use it better, with practical tools and tips that put you in control. We hear you, and we’re acting on what you’ve told us today.”
Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, chief marketing officer of MTN Nigeria, reiterated the importance of continuous engagement: “Today has been about listening, learning, and connecting with you. We’ve heard your complaints, your ideas, and even your personal stories. From parents balancing their children’s needs to businesses working tirelessly online, be assured that we listen, we care, and we do. Your trust means everything to us, and we’re committed to turning today’s conversations into real actions.”
Ikenna-Emeka stressed that MTN Nigeria seeks to reposition itself not only as a telecom operator but also as a listening partner in the everyday lives of its subscribers.
The event also provided a platform for small businesses, young professionals, and digital creators to interact with MTN leaders during Speed Mentorship sessions, where they shared their goals and received guidance on navigating the digital economy, technology adoption, and entrepreneurial strategy.
Visitors engaged with various thematic lounges, including MoMo PSB, MTN’s fintech subsidiary, where tools for financial inclusion were showcased.
Other activities included a digital skills academy, interactive tech demonstrations, and a startup pitch challenge, reflecting MTN’s efforts to align services with evolving customer needs.
Telecom
Airtel Nigeria Raises Infrastructure Spending to $39m

Airtel Africa Plc increased its capital expenditure in Nigeria to $39m in the second quarter of 2025, up 1.7 per cent from $38m in the same period last year.
According to the company’s financial statement the marginal increase highlights Airtel’s continued investment in its largest and most strategic market, despite a broader slowdown in group-level capital spending this quarter.
The Punch newspaper reported that the increase in capital spending by Airtel comes at a time when telecom subscribers are expecting tangible improvements in service quality, following a 50 per cent tariff adjustment approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission earlier this year.
It added that Telcos have begun to show signs of commitment to network upgrades, bolstered by the recent delivery of telecom equipment valued at $1bn.
“In Nigeria, capital expenditure for the quarter ended 30 June 2025 was $39m, compared to $38m in the same period last year,”.
According to the statement, the Group-wide capital expenditure stood at $121m in the three months ended June 30, representing a decline from the previous year, which the company attributed to timing differences in project execution.
However, Airtel maintained its full-year capex guidance at between $725m and $750m, indicating that more spending is anticipated in the coming quarters.
Capital expenditure, or Capex, refers to the funds used by a company to acquire or upgrade physical assets such as network towers, fibre infrastructure, and IT systems.
In Nigeria, the $39m spent during the quarter was likely directed toward expanding and modernising the operator’s mobile and broadband networks, enhancing service coverage and capacity in urban and rural areas.
Telecom
History as MTN Nigeria Becomes First to Hit ₦10 Trillion Market Cap @ NGX

MTN Nigeria Communications Plc has achieved a historic milestone, becoming the first listed company on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) to reach a market capitalization of ₦10 trillion, as its share price closed at ₦480 on Friday, August 1, 2025.
The telecommunications giant’s shares gained ₦8 or 1.69% during Friday’s trading session, pushing the company’s market value past the ₦10 trillion threshold.
This remarkable achievement comes just two days after MTN Nigeria released its stellar half-year 2025 financial results on Wednesday, which showed exceptional performance across all key metrics.
The timing is not surprising based on what was said in the company’s H1 results, which revealed a dramatic turnaround from losses to profitability.
The telecoms operator reported service revenue growth of 54.6% to ₦2.4 trillion, while EBITDA surged by 119.5% to ₦1.2 trillion with margins expanding significantly to 50.6%.
Most importantly, the company achieved a profit after tax of ₦414.9 billion, marking a stunning recovery from the loss of ₦519.1 billion recorded in the same period last year.
Speaking on the H1 2025 results that have driven investor confidence, Karl Toriola, CEO, MTN Nigeria, said: “We are excited by the progress made in the first half of 2025, reflecting the successful execution of the strategic priorities we previously communicated to the market.”
Toriola emphasized the company’s strong operational momentum, stating: “Building on the momentum from the first quarter, we delivered strong growth in service revenue for the period under review. This was driven by robust demand for our services, proactive customer value management and price adjustments, mainly in Q2.”
The CEO’s confidence in the company’s trajectory was evident in his commentary about future prospects.
“In light of the strong momentum in our business, we have upgraded our FY 2025 and medium-term guidance and we remain firmly on track to restore our balance sheet to a positive net asset position by the end of Q3,” Toriola declared.
This optimistic outlook, backed by upgraded financial guidance targeting service revenue growth of “at least low-50%” and EBITDA margin of “at least low-50%” for FY 2025, has clearly resonated with investors.
Toriola highlighted improving operating conditions that have supported the company’s performance: “The macroeconomic conditions in Nigeria showed notable improvements in the period under review, including a relatively stable naira, improved foreign exchange (forex) liquidity and easing inflationary pressures.”
He noted that “this backdrop helped to enable our improved business performance and set a more supportive context for increased long-term investments.”
The ₦10 trillion market cap milestone represents extraordinary value creation for shareholders.
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