MTN Doubles Fixed Broadband Users in Two Months, Driving 100% of Industry Growth in Nigeria

MTN doubles fixed broadband users in two months, capturing 100% of industry growth and cementing its dominance in Nigeria’s broadband market.

MTN’s Dominance in Nigeria’s Fixed Broadband Market

MTN Nigeria has reinforced its leadership in the country’s fixed broadband sector, more than doubling its subscriber base between May and July 2025, according to data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

The operator’s fixed broadband users surged from 14,424 in May to 29,314 in July, representing an impressive increase of 14,890 subscribers. Remarkably, this accounted for 100% of the industry’s total growth during the period.

Rivals Struggle as MTN Pulls Ahead

The broader fixed broadband market grew modestly—from 14,599 to 29,489 subscribers—highlighting MTN’s unmatched role in powering expansion. By contrast, 21st Century Technologies, the only other player in the sector, has stagnated at just 175 users since May, after a sharp decline from over 2,200 in April.

This stagnation leaves MTN virtually unchallenged in a sector critical to Nigeria’s digital ambitions, widening the gap between the operator and its competitors.

Strategic Investments Driving Broadband Growth

MTN’s rapid expansion has been fueled by aggressive infrastructure investment. In Q1 2025, the company increased capital expenditure by 159% year-on-year, deploying ₦202.4 billion ($134.5 million) to strengthen its network.

By mid-2025, MTN’s total investments had reached ₦565.7 billion ($377 million), with close to ₦900 billion ($562.5 million) budgeted for the full year. Much of this capital is being directed toward:

4G network upgrades
Fibre optic rollout across underserved regions
Passive infrastructure development to support nationwide connectivity

These investments underscore MTN’s commitment to bridging Nigeria’s digital divide.

FibreX and the “Own-The-Home” Strategy

On April 21, MTN rebranded its fibre broadband service as FibreX, which is now active in at least 14 states. The service targets middle- and high-income households, particularly in underserved urban areas.

Complementing FibreX, MTN has also struck infrastructure-sharing agreements with Airtel Africa to extend fibre reach and improve service delivery.

At the heart of this growth is MTN’s “Own-The-Home” strategy, which combines:

Fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) services
4G and 5G-based Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) solutions
Hybrid models designed to deliver reliable high-speed internet even in areas where fibre deployment remains limited

The Future of Fixed Broadband in Nigeria

MTN Group CEO Ralph Mupita has emphasized the vast opportunities within the home broadband segment. “The opportunity in the home is enormous,” he stated, underscoring MTN’s plan to scale FWA aggressively while expanding fibre-to-the-home in targeted areas.

With no meaningful competition in sight, MTN’s early and substantial investments in fibre and FWA are positioning the company as the undisputed leader in Nigeria’s fixed broadband market. This dominance is expected to play a vital role in advancing Nigeria’s digital economy, supporting e-learning, remote work, telemedicine, and digital commerce.

MTN Tightens Its Grip on Broadband Leadership

MTN’s ability to double its fixed broadband users in just two months demonstrates both its strategic foresight and aggressive investment approach. By capturing 100% of industry growth, the operator has cemented its dominance in a sector that is critical for Nigeria’s digital transformation.

As the country pushes toward wider internet penetration and digital inclusion, MTN’s FibreX and FWA strategies will likely set the standard for high-speed connectivity in Nigeria.

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