THE number of active phone lines in Nigeria has increased in the first quarter of 2021 compared to what it was in the corresponding period in 2020, Realnews reports.

According to official statistics from the website of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, active mobile (GSM) lines as at March 2021 stood at 192,081,282 compared to what it was in the corresponding period in 2020 which was 188,865,965.

Also, in February 2021, active GSM lines total 195,734,667 compared to 187,146,978 as at February 2020.

As at January 2021, active GSM lines we199,863,827 where the number of was 185,742,016 as of January 2020.

Although there was an increase in the number of active GSM lines, Realnews observed that there has been a decrease in the number since January. From 199,863,827 in January, the active lines dropped to 195,734,667 and 192,081,965 in February and March 2021, respectively.

Although the NCC did not provide any reason on its website for the drop in the number of active GSM lines, Realnews reports that the economy was affected negatively by the coronavirus pandemic which ravaged the world and affected people’s purchasing power. The increase in the number of active lines could be because the economy is recovering as the country has exited the recession which afflicted.

– May 27, 2021 @ 08:55 GMT