MTN’s growth plan records boost as NCC approves use of 800MHZ spectrum
Nigeria’s leading telco brand MTN is set to expand its market share leadership in the country, following recent report that it has been granted approval to utilize spectrum from the 800MHZ (Megahertz) frequency acquired from Visafone.
When fully deployed, the 800MHZ (Megahertz) frequency which was acquired from Visafone in 2015, will further entrench MTN’s dominance in the Nigerian telecommunications sector and grow its market share leadership.
According to an earlier statement from MTN, the acquisition is intended to leverage resources for service enhancement, and it is reflective of the company’s concerted efforts to deepen the growth and rollout of broadband services across the country.
This development which has been stalled as a result of a court case instituted by Etisalat in 2016, is expected to also boost NCC’s goal of achieving 70% broadband penetration within the next five years (2024).
Recall that the frequency was the subject of a legal dispute by Etisalat (now rebranded as 9Mobile) in 2016. Etisalat in a 2016 statement had said “MTN had been declared dominant by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) since 2013, and therefore the usage of the 800 Mega Hertz (MHz) spectrum from Visafone would further extend MTN’s dominance.
Speaking further it said, “The use of the 800MHz spectrum to deploy broadband services ahead of its competitors, particularly those who prior to MTNs purchase of Visafone, held similar spectrum bands as MTN, will further entrench MTN’s dominance in the Nigerian telecommunications sector.”
Before the acquisition, MTN only operated 900 MHz and 1800 MHz frequency bands, which is also being operated by Etisalat now (9mobile) and Airtel who are also using the GSM technology.
The controversial 800MHZ (Megahertz) frequency was also subjected to a public enquiry by the NCC In a bid to resolve the dispute.
Speaking during the public inquiry, which held in June 2018, NCC, Executive Vice Chairman, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta said the Public Inquiry was a deliberation that would lead to an informed decision consistent with the Commission’s mandate to create an enabling environment for effective competition in the industry as well as to ensure the provision of qualitative and efficient telecommunications services throughout the country”.
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