9mobile Loses Subscribers as Porting Statistics Show Significant Outflow

Data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) indicates that 9mobile experienced a significant loss of customers in November 2023, with 1,646 subscribers switching to other networks. Out of a total of 2,433 mobile subscribers who ported out of their networks, 68% left 9mobile. Other operators also saw outgoing porting but on a smaller scale compared to 9mobile. MTN and Airtel lost 274 customers each, while Globacom recorded 239 outgoing porting.

In contrast, MTN, the largest operator by subscriber number, gained more customers from other operators, receiving 1,470 customers out of the 2,433 incoming porting reported in the month. Airtel received 668 customers, while Globacom gained 211 customers from other operators. However, 9mobile recorded the least incoming porting, with only 84 subscribers moving to the network in the same period.

Mobile Number Portability (MNP) allows customers to change service providers without changing their numbers, facilitating the movement of subscribers between networks. The decline in the number of ports over the years, from a peak of 22,539 in July 2015 to an average of 3,000 per month, is attributed to factors such as improvements in service quality and the desire for cheaper call and data rates offered by other operators. Former NCC Executive Vice Chairman Prof Umar Danbatta emphasized that MNP gives subscribers the flexibility to switch networks for various reasons, ensuring they can access better services and packages.

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