MTN, Airtel, Glo, Others to Shut Down 3G as rural LTE speeds surge to 15 Mbps

• Nigeria’s telecom sector is preparing to shut down 3G services as operators redirect resources to faster 4G and 5G networks, the NCC and new Ookla data reveal.

Nigeria’s telecommunications industry is entering a major transition phase as leading operators prepare to phase out 3G services and focus investment on expanding 4G and 5G networks.

According to the latest NCC/Ookla report, rural median download speeds have nearly doubled in less than a year — rising from about 7.5 Mbps in January 2025 to nearly 15 Mbps by September 2025. This improvement signals meaningful progress in bridging Nigeria’s digital divide, particularly in underserved areas.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has long hinted at the need to retire older network technologies. In a previous policy document, the regulator noted the need to “begin to consider regulatory and industrial requirements aimed at shutting down lower technologies such as 2G and possibly 3G.”

Industry insiders confirm that mobile network operators (MNOs) are already accelerating plans to decommission 3G infrastructure. The reasons include declining usage, high maintenance costs, and the need to reallocate spectrum toward more efficient and high-capacity 4G and 5G systems.

MTN Nigeria, one of the nation’s largest operators, has reportedly communicated intentions to fully discontinue 3G operations by December 2025, in line with similar global moves to sunset legacy networks.

The Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) reports that across Africa, the share of mobile connections using 2G and 3G has been steadily declining as operators shift investment toward LTE and next-generation technologies.

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For rural communities, the shift is already producing visible benefits. Reports indicate LTE speeds have increased significantly in some regions, reaching up to 15 Mbps, enabling smoother video streaming, remote learning, telemedicine, and digital business operations.

The NCC is currently working on a five-year spectrum roadmap to optimize resource allocation and promote transparency in network performance reporting.

If implemented effectively, the 3G shutdown could mark a new era of digital connectivity in Nigeria — one characterized by faster, more reliable internet access and a stronger foundation for 5G innovation.