MTN Data Traffic Surges 35.7% to 9,054 Petabytes

MTN Group has announced a significant surge in data traffic, reaching a staggering 9,054 petabytes by the end of June 2024. This represents a 35.7% year-on-year increase, driven by a growing active data subscriber base. The telecom giant now boasts 150.2 million active data subscribers, marking a 9.2% year-on-year growth.

In its H1 2024, MTN disclosed having 150.2 million active data subscribers, representing a 9.2% YoY while its mobile subscriber base grew by 0.8% YoY to 288 million customers across 18 markets by the end of June 2024.

The Group data service revenue also increased by 17.2% in the six months; fintech service revenue climbed by 7.3%; while voice revenue decreased by 33.7%.

Recall, Business Remarks reported in March,  MTN Nigeria has disconnected over 4.2 million subscribers from its mobile network due to the subscriber registration regulations. Also MTN Nigeria and Airtel Nigeria reportedly barred 13.5 million lines in the first half of 2024 in connection with the Nigerian Communications Commission directive to disconnect lines that have not been successfully linked with a National Identification Number (NIN).

Also Read: MTN Records Data Traffic Growth of 44.9% as Data Subscribers Hit 44.6 Million

The Group President, Ralph Mupita said, MTN Nigeria delivered a strong underlying performance, despite the severe macro impacts on its financial performance,” Mupita said, noting good progress in key initiatives including acceleration of revenue, optimisation of capex and the reduction of its US dollar-denominated obligations.

Furthermore, MTN Nigeria recently concluded the renegotiation of its tower contracts with IHS and ATC.

MTN Nigeria, ATC Nigeria and IHS Nigeria reached a mutual agreement regarding approximately 2,500 sites that were awarded to ATC from the IHS portfolio in September 2023. The parties have agreed to a revised allocation of sites in terms of which ATC will provide tower services for up to 2,100 sites, while IHS will manage 1,400 sites. This includes 1,000 new MTN sites to be rolled out over the next few years, to be allocated between the two tower operators.

MTN said the revised contracts will support earnings and cashflow development in the business as part of the initiatives to resolve the negative equity position of MTN Nigeria.

The group said that discussions around tariff increases for voice and data are continuing with the authorities in Nigeria.