Morganable Technology / Telecom
MTN Group is placing greater attention on fibre networks and home broadband as rising data consumption creates new opportunities in Nigeria’s telecommunications market, with the company identifying connected homes as a major growth area over the next five to ten years.
Lagos —
For many Nigerians, having access to the internet is no longer just about making calls or checking social media. People now depend on internet connections for work, education, entertainment, shopping and business transactions.
This change is creating new opportunities for telecommunications companies, which are looking beyond traditional mobile services to attract customers who need faster and more reliable connections.
MTN Group is among the operators preparing for this shift. The company plans to sustain investment in Nigeria’s network infrastructure while expanding its focus on fibre connectivity and home broadband.
Speaking during a meeting with MTN Media Innovation Fellows in Lagos on October 28, 2026, MTN Group President and Chief Executive Officer, Ralph Mupita, said connected homes could become an important growth area for the company over the next five to ten years.
He also disclosed that data consumption across MTN Nigeria’s customer base was increasing by about 30 per cent annually.
According to him, the rising demand makes continued investment in network capacity and fibre infrastructure necessary.
Why connected homes matter to MTN
Connected homes refer to households that use broadband internet to connect several devices at the same time.
These devices may include smartphones, laptops, smart televisions, security cameras and other equipment that depends on internet access.
For example, a household where parents work remotely and children attend online classes may need a stable connection that can support several activities at once.
The same applies to people who stream films, play online games or run businesses from their homes.
Mobile data remains an important source of internet access for millions of Nigerians. However, fixed broadband can provide households with another option, particularly where several people consume large amounts of data daily.
This explains why telecommunications companies are showing greater interest in home internet services.
For MTN, the opportunity is to move beyond selling data to individual mobile subscribers and provide connections that serve entire households.
The strategy could also help the company attract customers who need more reliable internet for work and other daily activities.
Fibre infrastructure takes centre stage
Fibre-optic technology is central to MTN’s plans.
Unlike traditional copper cables, fibre-optic cables use light to transmit information. They can carry large amounts of data at high speeds and support the growing needs of internet users.
Fibre networks also connect important parts of telecommunications infrastructure, including network facilities and data centres.
As internet consumption increases, operators need stronger connections to move information between different parts of their networks.
Mupita said fibre expansion would be important to supporting the next phase of connectivity in Nigeria.
The company’s focus comes as more businesses adopt cloud services and digital platforms. Schools, entertainment providers and other organisations are also increasing their use of online services.
These changes mean that internet providers must prepare for higher data demand rather than depend only on existing network capacity.
However, fibre expansion requires significant investment. Operators must install cables, secure access to buildings, maintain equipment and provide connections to areas where customers need the service.
The cost of installation and monthly subscriptions can also affect how many households are willing to sign up.
MTN’s financial results show the importance of data
MTN Nigeria’s latest financial results provide further evidence of the growing importance of internet services to its business.
The company reported a 55.3 per cent increase in profit after tax to ₦1.17 trillion for the nine months ended September 30, 2026.
Its service revenue rose by 23.7 per cent to ₦4.6 trillion, while earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation increased by 36.8 per cent to ₦2.6 trillion.
Data revenue was a major contributor to the growth, rising by 35.8 per cent during the period.
The company’s active data users also increased by 12 per cent to 57.2 million, while its total subscriber base grew by 10.9 per cent to 94.7 million.
In addition, MTN Nigeria recorded a 30.1 per cent increase in network data traffic.
The figures show that more customers are using the company’s network and consuming larger amounts of data.
Home broadband is also becoming more important to its operations. According to the company’s results, fibre-to-the-home services now carry approximately 13 per cent of its total data traffic.
This helps reduce pressure on the mobile network while providing households with another way to access high-speed internet.
For MTN, expanding home broadband could therefore support both revenue growth and more efficient use of its network.
Rising device prices could affect internet access
Despite the opportunities, the cost of smartphones and other connected devices remains a concern.
Many Nigerians depend on affordable smartphones to access the internet. An increase in device prices could make it harder for some people to upgrade their phones or purchase internet-enabled devices.
Mupita discussed the pressure that growing global demand for memory chips could place on device prices.
The expansion of artificial intelligence and data centre infrastructure has increased demand for semiconductor components used in electronic devices.
As manufacturers respond to this demand, consumers in markets such as Nigeria could face higher costs.
This presents a challenge for telecommunications operators.
Even when companies improve their networks, customers still need suitable devices and affordable subscriptions to benefit from those investments.
For households already managing rising living costs, paying for broadband installation, monthly subscriptions and multiple connected devices may not be easy.
Therefore, the growth of connected homes will depend partly on whether operators can introduce packages that match different household budgets.
Competition in Nigeria’s broadband market could increase
MTN’s growing interest in home broadband comes as demand for reliable internet creates more opportunities for telecommunications and internet service providers.
The Nigerian market still has room to expand its fixed broadband connections.
Many households rely mainly on mobile data because fibre services are not available in their neighbourhoods or because installation costs are too high.
Expanding coverage could give consumers more choices and encourage providers to improve their services.
However, competition will not be determined by network speed alone.
Customers will also consider subscription prices, installation fees, customer support and how consistently their connections work.
For small businesses, a reliable broadband connection can help reduce interruptions during online transactions and communication with customers.
Similarly, households with students and remote workers could benefit from connections that support several devices without frequent interruptions.
If operators make their services more accessible, home broadband could become a stronger part of Nigeria’s telecommunications market.
What the plans mean for Nigerian households
MTN’s focus on connected homes reflects a wider change in how telecommunications companies are approaching internet access.
The market is gradually moving beyond individual mobile subscriptions towards services that connect households and businesses.
However, investment announcements alone will not determine how quickly this market grows.
Operators must expand fibre coverage, improve service quality and ensure that their packages are affordable.
Regulators will also need to encourage fair competition and support the development of infrastructure that can reach more communities.
For consumers, the real benefit will come when reliable high-speed internet becomes easier to access without placing too much pressure on household budgets.
MTN’s plans show that the company sees home broadband as an important part of its future in Nigeria. Whether this opportunity delivers the expected growth will depend on how effectively it turns its investment plans into connections that ordinary Nigerians can afford and use.
