Globacom Scales Network Infrastructure Amid Rising Internet Demand in Nigeria
Globacom, Nigeria’s third-largest mobile network operator, is intensifying network expansion and infrastructure upgrades to meet the country’s rapidly growing demand for data services in an increasingly competitive telecommunications market.
As internet usage continues to surge across Nigeria, telecom operators face mounting pressure to deliver faster speeds, broader coverage, and improved service reliability. For subscribers, an average internet experience is no longer sufficient, especially with the rise of remote work, digital payments, artificial intelligence, and other data-intensive activities.
Nigeria’s Internet Usage Continues to Rise
Latest industry data shows that Nigeria’s internet consumption increased by 1,085 terabytes in November 2025, rising to 1,236,544.10 terabytes from 1,235,459.47 terabytes recorded in October.
Between January and November 2025, total data usage by Nigerians grew by over 236,000 terabytes, highlighting the accelerating appetite for online services.
At the same time, the number of internet subscribers climbed to 144.8 million in November 2025, representing a 1.5% increase from 142.6 million in October. The growth reflects rising smartphone penetration and the impact of Nigeria’s digital economy drive.
Infrastructure Investment Becomes Critical
With increasing demand for high-speed connectivity and longer online sessions, telecom operators are being compelled to invest heavily in network infrastructure to:
- Improve network reliability
- Boost data speeds
- Expand coverage in underserved and remote areas
Globacom currently serves 22.2 million subscribers, giving it a market share of nearly 13%, according to the latest industry figures.
Globacom Expands Coverage and Network Quality
The company is deepening its focus on superior network quality through a nationwide expansion project designed to enhance customer experience and service delivery.
A key part of this effort is the deployment of new base stations, aimed at extending coverage to underserved communities and increasing capacity in densely populated areas.
This expansion has strengthened Globacom’s position as Nigeria’s second-largest tower operator.
Data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) shows that Globacom increased its tower count by 223 sites, from 8,550 in 2023 to 8,773 in 2024.
Only Nigerian MNO Managing Its Own Towers
Globacom remains the only Nigerian mobile network operator (MNO) that independently owns, operates, and manages its tower infrastructure.
According to the NCC’s 2024 Year-End Performance Report, Globacom controls 22% of Nigeria’s 39,880 telecom towers, ranking second behind IHS Towers, which holds 47% of the market.
Globacom also leads American Tower Services (ATS), which controls 21%. In contrast, MTN owns just 1%, while Airtel controls less than 1% of telecom towers nationwide. MTN and Airtel primarily lease infrastructure from tower companies such as IHS Towers and American Tower Corporation (ATC).
Focus on Fibre, Transmission, and Switching Infrastructure
Speaking with Technext, a Globacom insider who requested anonymity said the company is committed to expanding its infrastructure footprint, including:
- Fibre backbone expansion
- Upgraded transmission routes
- Modernised switching centres
- Optimised traffic pathways nationwide
The insider noted that continued investment in tower sites helps reduce network congestion, minimise dropped calls, and improve overall voice and data service quality.
Independent Ratings Validate Network Improvements
An analytical report by nPerf, a France-based mobile internet speed testing platform, ranked Globacom as the third-best mobile internet provider in Nigeria in 2025.
The report showed that Globacom achieved strong performance in:
- Latency: 121.81 ms
- Browsing experience: 29.86%
While MTN topped the rankings overall, Globacom’s browsing score placed it ahead of Airtel and close behind MTN in terms of social media and general browsing performance.
Reacting to the report, a Globacom representative said the results reflect sustained network investments made throughout 2025.
The representative noted that these investments “form the unseen architecture of reliability that will ensure enhanced network experience for customers in 2026.”
Spectrum, LTE Expansion, and Sustainability Efforts
Globacom disclosed that a major part of its 2025 strategy included:
- Acquisition of new spectrum
- Deployment of thousands of new LTE sites
- Expansion of its fibre backbone
These investments are designed to reduce network glitches, support high data consumption, and deliver faster download and upload speeds, alongside smoother 4G video streaming.
The company also deployed hybrid battery power systems across numerous sites to cut diesel dependence, reduce costs, and improve network uptime through greener energy solutions.
Glo-1 Submarine Cable to Power 2026 Growth
Globacom said its Glo-1 international submarine cable, which it solely owns, will play a critical role in driving operational excellence and bandwidth reliability in 2026.
According to the company, the cable will support Nigeria’s ambition to build a $1 trillion digital economy, especially as demand grows for AI-driven services, cloud computing, and advanced digital platforms.
Looking Ahead
As Globacom marks its 26th year of operation, the company says it remains focused on sustained infrastructure investment and readiness to adopt emerging technologies.
With an expanded network backbone and continued upgrades, the operator aims to deliver a significantly improved internet experience for millions of Nigerian subscribers in the years ahead.
