If mobile internet were a gladiator sport, MTN would undoubtedly be the winner representing Nigeria, receiving cheers from its subscribers while Airtel and Glo follow closely as competitors.
Meanwhile, 9mobile is far behind, its presence barely felt in the game. According to nPerf’s 2024 report, which analysed mobile internet performance across Nigeria, MTN has not let loose its grip on the market.
From January 1 to December 31, 2024, MTN led mobile internet in Nigeria across every measurable category, with great performance. Its subscribers enjoyed an average download speed of 17.82 Mbps, leaving Airtel at 9.98 Mbps and Glo at a distant 5.66 Mbps.
Upload speeds were similar, with MTN averaging 8.05 Mbps, Airtel 4.35 Mbps, and Glo 3.43 Mbps, even as reliance on solid internet connectivity never stopped increasing.
Latency, an important metric for real-time applications such as video calls and gaming, further enhanced MTN’s place in the market. The network achieved an average latency of 79.44 ms, comfortably outperforming Glo’s 89.44 ms and Airtel’s 119.85 ms.
These figures are particularly important during peak periods (6 PM to 11 PM) when the network issues are at the highest. MTN’s ability to maintain consistent latency levels during these busy hours speaks to its superior infrastructure.
Beyond raw speeds, the quality of experience (QoE) was also analysed. In browsing performance, MTN scored an average success rate of 36.08%, surpassing Airtel at 28.86%, while Glo lagged at 29.42%.
This difference was also seen in video streaming, where MTN recorded an average streaming success rate of 72.35%, overshadowing Airtel’s 67.04% and Glo’s 53.81%. The data disclosed that whether downloading, browsing, or streaming, MTN subscribers always enjoyed the best experiences.
Airtel, despite being a distant second in most metrics, delivered a commendable performance in specific areas, particularly video streaming. Its streaming rate, at 67.04%, shows a strong emphasis on delivering quality experiences in this domain.
However, Airtel’s inability to match MTN’s speeds, browsing performance and latency asserted the gap between the two providers.
Glo, on the other hand, had steady progress throughout 2024. Although it lagged in download (5.66 Mbps) and upload speeds (3.43 Mbps), its performance in latency (89.44 ms) revealed some improvement in network responsiveness.
Glo’s focus on enhancing connectivity is obvious, but it remains apparent that the provider has some ground to cover before it can challenge the likes of MTN or even Airtel.
In 2024, 9mobile lost approximately 8 million subscribers, a huge decline largely attributed to the National Identification Number (NIN) and SIM card verification exercise conducted by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
Many subscribers had their lines deactivated due to unverified NINs. Adding to its issues, 9mobile experienced ongoing service disruptions throughout the year, which included frequent network outages, poor coverage, and unresponsive customer service.
Again, the company faced multiple fibre cuts and infrastructure damages, worsening its service quality challenges. While it was undeniably a tough year for 9mobile, its absence from the statistical report is a story in itself.
With no representation in the nPerf report, it seems to have resigned itself to the shadows, and we are left to hope that the company will gain back and surpass its place in the competitive mobile internet market.
The methodology behind nPerf’s analysis included the incorporation of millions of user-initiated tests across busy and idle hours, with the report providing an apt and transparent evaluation of network performance.
The nPerf score, which combines download and upload speeds, latency, and QoE metrics, ensures a holistic assessment of user experience.
In 2024, MTN’s overall nPerf score was 39,475 points, way above Airtel’s 26,513 points and Glo’s 19,684 points. These figures encapsulate the overall quality of service each provider delivered throughout the year.
In all, MTN’s top place in 2024 was neither accidental nor marginal. Its performance across download and upload speeds, latency, and QoE can be linked to a well-rounded approach to network resilience.
Airtel showed flashes of brilliance in specific areas, while Glo was behind with incremental improvements. The competition among these providers leaves us watching to see if MTN will maintain its place in 2025 or if other mobile internet providers will meet up and surpass with even better performance.
