Telecom
Telcos Lose N119Bn Monthly as Subscribers Abandon SIM Cards

MTN Nigeria, Globacom, Airtel, 9Mobile and ntel, the country’s main mobile network operators (MNOs), are losing monthly a handsome sum of potential revenues running into billions of naira to the rising profile of abandoned subscriber’s identity module (SIM) cards in the country.

According to report by business a.m., online news medium, as the total number of inactive SIM cards peaked at 85.49 million at the end of October this year, the total monthly amount lost by operators of global service for mobile communication (GSM) amounted to N118.983 billion.
Business a.m. said it arrived at the figure using the current average revenue per user (ARPU) in the industry which stands at $3.85 monthly at N362.464 to one dollar as benchmark exchange rate.
Experts in the industry have explained that by the Nigerian telecoms industry standard, a SIM card is labelled inactive after the subscriber failed to use it to access any telecommunications services for a period of 90 days at a stretch.
Data obtained from the industry regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) revealed that since inception of GSM services in the country, a total of 265.61 million telephone lines have been sold and connected by the MNOs including MTN, Globacom, Airtel, 9Mobile, nTel.
Analysis of latest industry figure from the NCC shows that within the first 10 months of 2019, a total of 6.33 million lines were made redundant by their holders despite 7.63 million new lines that were activated.
The trend of inactive lines continued in the country despite the rise in active mobile phone lines and tractions recorded in teledensity which at the end of October stood at 180.12 million and 94.50 per cent respectively.
In January this year, out of 249.22 connected lines, 75.59 million or 30.33 per cent were inactive. In February, 75.17 million, an equivalent of 30.26 per cent of total 248.45 million connected lines went completely offline, and as at March, out of a total 250.26 million lines that have so far been issued by operators, 76.83 million or 30.7 per cent were inactive.
The percentage went up in April (31.49 per cent), May (31.98 per cent) and June (32.78 per cent) when 79.67 million, 81.51 million and 84.74 million of total 253.05 million, 254.92 million and 258.49 million SIM connections were redundant respectively.
In July and August, out of 259.14 million and 263.62 million connected lines, 84.74 million or 32.55 per cent and 87 million or 33 per cent in that order were inactive.
As at the end of September, 85.5 million or 32.34 per cent of 264.40 million total connected lines had been abandoned for at least 90 days, while in October, 85.49 million subscriptions or 32.19 per cent out of total 265.61 million were inactive, leaving 180.12 million as the current active subscriptions in the system.
Telecoms consumers in Nigeria have been found to live multi-simming lifestyle where one person is in possession of more than one SIM card registered to his identity.
This trend is further promoted by the design and configuration of mobile devices type-approved by the NCC as many of the devices are made to accommodate more than a SIM card conveniently.
The operators have also been accused of contributing to the rising trend of inactive telephone lines in the system as their sales agents are often seen aggressively giving out SIM cards to existing and potential customers for free, or selling and registering the lines at ridiculously low prices.
Some subscribers told business a.m. during informal chats with them that they sometimes activated a SIM card just to enjoy a promo service being offered at that time by the operators, after which they ditched the telephone lines.
While telephone numbers assigned by the NCC to operators in ranges is seen as a scarce national resource, some industry experts hold that the situation is still normal since total active lines outnumber abandoned ones.
According to Olusola Teniola, the president of Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), loyalty of prepaid customers to their networks is minimal, hence, it is easy for them to drop a line and go for another one.
He said: “With increasing migration of prepaid subscribers, from a usage basis, this means that there is far less loyalty to remain with an operator and easy for expats and mobile road warriors to dispense with SIM cards and return to obtain another SIM card when they return to Nigeria.
“So it is still okay that number of active SIM cards exceeds the number of inactive SIM cards. If it happens otherwise, it signifies saturation or heavy churn due to alternative offerings over Wi-Fi or other non-based SIM devices,” Teniola said.
He, however, observed that the telcos needed to win more post-paid subscribers to reduce the number of inactive lines.
“With more post-paid accounts the number of inactive SIM cards should decrease, as the SIM is usually provisioned subject to a tenured contract being in place,” he said.
Meanwhile, in a recently released numbering plan regulation, NCC said it would henceforth withdraw inactive lines after 12 months.
“Subscriber numbers that have not generated revenue by originating calls will automatically be recovered after 12 consecutive months,” part of the new numbering plan read.
In the new plan, NCC said it would conduct regular audit in order to ascertain the level of utilisation of numbers assigned to operators.
“The numbers issued will be categorised as follows: Assigned i.e. total number assigned by the regulator including operator codes; Quantity of numbers already assigned and sold to subscribers (SIM cards); Quantity of numbers in trade channels i.e. numbers with assigned SIM cards but not yet sold; Revenue generating subscribers during the preceding 90 days prior to the reporting period; and Quantity of numbers in quarantine,” the commission said.
Telecom
NCC Orders Telcos Inform Subscribers of Data Breach within 48 Hours

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed telecom operators in the country to notify affected customers of any data breach within 48 hours ( that is two day) of detecting such unauthorised infringement.

This directive was contained in the revised Internet Code of Practice 2026 by the NCC, on Friday.
The document seeks to define the rights and obligations of telecom operators in handing the rights of internet users to an open internet.
In the move to protect customer information, Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are to take necessary measures to protect customers’ data from unauthorised use, disclosure, access or breach.
Telecom operators must now notify affected customers within 48 hours of detecting a compromise through text message, email or any other effective means. As contained in Chapter 3.4 of the regulation titled “Data Breach Notifications,”
The telecoms companies are also directed to notify the NCC of such a breach not later than 48 hours after determining such a breach.
“Where full details of the breach are not immediately available, the provider shall issue a preliminary notification within the same period and furnish a comprehensive update within Fourteen (14) days thereafter, or within such extended period as the Commission may approve,” part of the section reads.
The guidelines, according to NCC, are in tandem with the provisions contained in the Nigerian Data Protection Act 2023 and Part VI of Schedule 1 of the Consumer Code of Practice Regulations 2024.
The regulation also joins other agencies’ policies, ensuring protection. Agencies such as the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) protect consumers against misuse of personal data, identity theft, financial loss, and reputation damage.
The review comes at a time when privacy becomes core amid frequent breaches and illegal harvest of data such as biometric, national IDs, financial information, traffic and usage, and others.
Regulations are necessary for the proper handling, consent, and regulatory compliance regarding sensitive data, ensuring it is only processed for legitimate purposes.
Under Chapter 3.5, the Internet Code of Practice 2026 addressed the handling of harvesting of transactional data by notifying and getting approval from the NCC of any usage by a third party. It noted that the NCC approval will be defined by a review and assessment of such access and “its potential effects on national considerations, consumer information and personal data.”
Telecom
Globacom Promotes Valentine Gifting with Huge Discounts on Smartphones

Globacom has announced a Valentine Smartphone promotion, which provides incredible savings on a variety of high-end smartphones from top manufacturers including Tecno, Samsung, and Infinix.

Starting on February 9, the promotion provides substantial price reductions on a number of Samsung models, including the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Galaxy A07, Galaxy A56 5G, Galaxy A36 5G, and Galaxy A26 5G. Customers who buy any of the phones will also receive a complimentary travel pouch and charger, as well as up to 18GB of extra data for six months, only available on the Glo network.
Along with other Infinix models, Tecno devices are also offered at attractive discounts, giving customers a large range of smartphones to fit a variety of tastes and price ranges.
The goal of the Glo Valentine promotion is to provide customers with the best possible deals on carefully chosen smartphones that are renowned for their cutting-edge technology, stylish designs, and dependable performance. The offer, which includes alternatives to suit a range of budgets and lifestyles, reaffirms Globacom’s dedication to customer happiness, digital adoption, greater data usage, and client centricity.
The company revealed that the promotion aligned with customers’ expectations during celebratory seasons, when demand is highest for quality smartphones at affordable prices. The company added that its partnership with trusted global and regional brands such as Samsung, Infinix, and Tecno ensures that customers enjoy premium features without compromising on value.
“The Valentine season is about connection, and what better way to stay connected than with a smartphone that fits your needs and aspirations,” the company stated. “This promo gives our customers the chance to get their dream smartphones at some of the best prices of the year, along with generous data bonuses to keep them connected,” the company disclosed.
Customers are encouraged to visit Gloworld outlets nationwide to take advantage of the Valentine Smartphone Promo while stocks last.
Telecom
GBB Expands Broadband to 13 Underserved Communities In 2025

Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB) has recorded a significant milestone in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey by advancing broadband connectivity to 13 underserved institutions and communities nationwide in 2025, reinforcing its position as the nation’s digital backbone and a trusted partner in national development.

Guided by its mandate to enable a digitally inclusive Nigeria, GBB deliberately extended connectivity to locations within reach of its infrastructure footprint, particularly institutions with strong potential for productive use but limited readiness for immediate commercial engagement. Through this effort, the organisation continues to unlock opportunity, stimulate innovation, and support sustainable growth across critical sectors of the economy.
The expansion reached three Federal Universities, two Local Government Areas, and eight Federal Secretariats, strengthening digital capabilities in education and public administration while enhancing service delivery across the country.
GBB also extended reliable broadband connectivity to strategic and cultural landmarks such as the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, underscoring its commitment to supporting national infrastructure that drives economic activity, mobility, and global connectivity.
These deployments highlight Galaxy Backbone’s resolve to bridge the digital divide and empower institutions that shape Nigeria’s future. They demonstrate the measurable national impact of GBB’s infrastructure investments and reflect the tangible progress of the Integrated Digital Transformation Strategy (IDTS), further solidifying the organisation’s role as the platform upon which government institutions and communities can confidently build their digital future.
More importantly, the milestone illustrates that GBB’s work extends beyond technology by enabling education, improving governance, supporting economic participation, and connecting citizens to opportunity.
The initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s broadband penetration objectives and complements national programmes such as Project 774 – Universities’ Hostel Connectivity, ensuring coordinated, scalable, and sustainable impact across the country. Commenting on the achievement, Galaxy Backbone noted that every new connection brings Nigeria closer to a more inclusive digital economy while reinforcing the infrastructure required for innovation and national competitiveness.
As implementation continues, GBB remains committed to expanding access, pushing boundaries, and delivering on the promise of a fully digital nation, with further updates expected as additional phases of the deployment progress.
Galaxy Backbone Limited is the Federal Government’s digital infrastructure and shared services provider, dedicated to delivering secure, reliable, and scalable ICT solutions that support efficient governance, innovation, and sustainable national development.
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