MTN Nigeria Acquires Additional Spectrum

MTN Nigeria has announced the acquisition of  additional 10MHz spectrum in the 800MHz band from Intercellular Nigeria Limited.

According to the telco, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has approved the transaction and assigned the frequency to MTN Nigeria.

The telecommunications company, MTN explained the acquisition will significantly improve customer experience, in line with its commitment to deliver excellent service quality to its subscribers.

Recall in 2019, NCC approved the transfer of 800MHz spectrum to MTN Group following its acquistion of Visafone Communication Limited.

Coming after Airtel and 9Mobile argued that transferring the 800MHz from Visafone Communications to MTN would substantially lessen competition in the data market segment and ultimately create a monopoly in the telecommunications industry.

In its argument while pleading its case three years ago, MTNN stated that it has shown time and again its commmitment to the Nigerian market.

“MTN has consistently invested in communications infrastructure, particularly broadband infrastructure in Nigeria. The facts are there for everyone to verify, no other operator has displayed this level of commitment to development of the Nigerian telecoms space including operators whose parent companies rank higher globally in terms of subscriber numbers.” the telco said.

Commenting on the new acquisition, MTN Nigeria Chief Executive Officer, Karl Toriola said the acquisition of fresh spectrum will significantly improve customer experience.

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“Through this acquisition, we will be better positioned to support the deepening of broadband penetration in the country. The added resources will also greatly impact our customers’ experience providing even better internet connectivity. It is our goal to keep finding ways to grant everyone access to a modern connected life.” Toriola addressed.

MTN Nigeria earlier said its mobile subscribers increased by 12.2 million to 76.5 million in 2020. Active data users increased by 7.4 million to 32.6 million. MTN Nigeria’s service revenue increased by 14.7 percent to NGN1.3 trillion. MTN Nigeria had annual Capex of NGN298.63 million in 2020