Statistics from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), shows that the number of Nigerians subscribed to the Internet in the country dropped by about 400,000 subscribers from 122.6 million to 122.2 million in June.

Nairametrics gathered that the rate of reduction might not be unconnected to concerns around the speed of internet download and the hasty consumption of data. On a network by network basis, the leading service provider in the country’s mobile internet industry, MTN Nigeria, lost 178,103 internet subscribers last month.

According to the data, MTN’s total internet subscribers stood at 52.4 million in May this year, while the number dropped to 52.2 million in June. This is the first time MTN Nigeria would lose internet subscribers in about a year. The data also revealed that the number of 9mobile’s active internet subscribers has continued to fall for over two years.

In June 2019, 9mobile suffered a dip; its internet subscribers declined to 9.03 million as against 9.35 million recorded in May 2019. The company’s market share in the entire industry remains 9% of the market or 15.96 million subscribers, however.

Globacom gained close to half the number of customers lost by MTN in June, with a 196,000 increase in internet subscribers. Airtel saw an addition of 42,000 to its total internet subscribers in June as well.

MTN still dominates the market though, with 65.25 million persons or (38% of people resident in Nigeria hooked up to their service.

Indigenous-owned Globacom is second with a 27% share of the market or 46.59 million subscribers on its network. Airtel, whose shares were recently floated on the local and international exchange markets in June, witnessed a slow rise in market share. The provider is catering to 26.43% of the customer base or 45.92 million subscribers.