Nigeria phases out 3G Network as China Mobile begins routing Internet traffic via country
Nigeria is accelerating the shutdown of legacy 3G networks as telecom operators intensify investments in faster 4G and 5G infrastructure, while the country simultaneously strengthens its role as a regional Internet traffic hub through a new partnership with China Mobile International Limited (CMI).
Fresh data from a first-quarter 2026 telecom sector review conducted by Ookla for the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) showed that mobile operators are rapidly retiring the 900MHz 3G spectrum band and reallocating resources to 4G frequencies on the 1800MHz and 2100MHz bands.
The transition is expected to improve connectivity nationwide, especially in underserved rural communities where slow Internet speeds have long limited access to digital services such as online learning, financial technology platforms, and remote work tools.
According to the report, MTN and Airtel are leading the migration away from 3G, significantly reducing dependence on outdated spectrum infrastructure as part of broader network modernisation efforts.
Industry statistics showed that as of the first quarter of 2026, 4G accounted for 53.76 per cent of network penetration in Nigeria, followed by 2G at 36.74 per cent, 3G at 5.30 per cent, and 5G at 4.20 per cent.
However, NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida, recently disclosed in Lagos that 5G penetration has already climbed to about 14 per cent, with active usage estimated at five per cent nationwide.
The report identified the n77 spectrum band (3.5GHz) as the backbone of Nigeria’s 5G expansion, delivering speeds estimated to be up to 10 times faster than conventional 4G services.
Since late 2025, 5G test volumes have reportedly surged by 44 per cent, driven largely by Airtel and MTN deployments.
In major cities such as Lagos and Abuja, Internet download speeds now exceed 250Mbps in some locations, significantly improving experiences for streaming, gaming, video conferencing, and enterprise connectivity.
The NCC also urged consumers to adopt devices compatible with the n77 band to fully utilise the benefits of 5G technology.
Despite the rapid urban rollout, the report noted that some rural states, including Sokoto and Imo, still rely heavily on 3G infrastructure. However, ongoing migration to 4G networks is steadily narrowing the digital divide.
The regulator described the transition as critical to achieving digital inclusion and ensuring that high-speed Internet access becomes available beyond urban centres.
For basic services such as calls, messaging, social media, and payments, 4G remains Nigeria’s dominant network standard. However, the report noted that 5G is increasingly becoming the preferred option for bandwidth-intensive activities such as cloud computing, gaming, and remote work.
Ookla’s findings further showed the speed of the ongoing transition in northern Nigeria. In Sokoto State, MTN’s reliance on 3G reportedly dropped from 80 per cent in September 2025 to 29 per cent by February 2026, while Airtel’s 3G dependence fell from 71 per cent to 25 per cent within the same period.
The report stated that Nigeria’s spectrum transition represents more than a technical upgrade, describing it as a key driver of economic growth, innovation, and broader digital participation.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Internet infrastructure ecosystem received an international boost after the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN) announced that China Mobile International Limited (CMI) has joined its peering fabric.
The development allows CMI, the global subsidiary of China Mobile Limited, to exchange Internet traffic locally within Nigeria through IXPN’s infrastructure.
The move is expected to reduce dependence on expensive international transit routes, improve data exchange efficiency, and strengthen Nigeria’s position as a regional digital connectivity hub in West Africa.
IXPN described the partnership as a major milestone for Nigeria’s digital ecosystem, saying businesses, Internet service providers, and users across the country would benefit from improved connectivity and faster traffic exchange.
According to IXPN, keeping more Internet traffic within Nigeria will enhance digital sovereignty, lower operational costs for service providers, and improve performance for latency-sensitive applications including cloud services, video conferencing, streaming platforms, and AI-powered technologies.
