Statistics reflecting the status of Ghana's telecommunications sector at the end of August 2015, released by the National Communications Authority (NCA), showed a transient 0.65% increase in the total number of mobile voice subscribers, and a total penetration rate of 120.64%.

The country's industry regulator said total subscribers increased from 32,615,149 as at the end of July to 32,826,405 as at the end of August.

MTN had the highest number of voice subscribers for August 2015 with 15,211,803, indicating an increase from July's figure of 15,046,417.

The NCA added that market trends indicate an increase of 1.10% from the previous month and MTN's market share for August was 46.34%.

The number of Vodafone voice subscribers increased by 0.22% from the previous month. "This is reflected in their total subscriber figure of 7,353,155 at the end of August 2015. Vodafone's market share for the month was 22.40%," the NCA stated.

Airtel's voice subscriber base increased from 4,176,115 at the end of July 2015 to 4,279,835 as at the end of August 2015. This represents an increase of 2.48% compared to the previous month. Their total market share for the month under review was 13.04%.

Tigo however recorded a reduction in the number of voice subscribers, decreasing from July's figure of 4,509,354 to 4,452,988 at the end of August 2015, representing a decrease of 1.25%. Their market share for the month under review was 13.57%.

Glo experienced a 1.19% reduction in the number of voice subscribers - from 1,413,824 at the end of July 2015 to 1,396,958 as at the end of August 2015. The network's total market share for the month of August 2015 was 4.26%.

Expresso's voice subscribers also decreased from 132,234 at the end of July 2015 to 131,666 as at the end of August 2015. This highlights a percentage decrease of 0.43%. The compay's total market share for the month under review was 0.40%.

Data performance

The NCA confirmed that there was a 0.24% increase in the total number of mobile data subscribers in Ghana. "Total subscribers increased from 16, 816,134 as at the end of June 2015 to 16,855,666 as at the end of July 2015. The total penetration rate for the month under review was 62.07%. Incidentally, the penetration rate has increased by 3.17% since January 2015," stated the regulator.

MTN's data subscribers increased by 0.15% from the previous month and the mobile operator's market share for July was 48.29%.

Vodafone's data subscribers increased by 0.5% from the previous month and its market share. Their market share for the month under review was 17.86%.

Although there was a drop in its mobile subscriber base, Tigo's data subscribers increased by 0.01% from the previous month. The company's market share for the month was 15.27%. Airtel's data subscriber base increased by 2.04% and its total market share for the month under review was 15.05%.

Glo's data subscribers decreased bu 6.52% for the month under review and their market share for July was 3.25%.

Expresso's data subscriber figures also decreased by 0.42% while its total market share for the month under review was 0.27%.