MTN granted more spectrum in Nigeria after lengthy tussle
The transfer of 800-megahertz spectrum was approved after a public inquiry into the boost the move would give to MTN’s position in Nigeria
MTN has been awarded additional broadband spectrum in Nigeria related to its 2015 acquisition of Visafone Communications, following a lengthy regulator battle. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) approved the transfer of 800-megahertz spectrum following a public inquiry into the boost the move would give to MTN’s market-leading position in the country. MTN bought Visafone from Jim Ovia, the former CEO of Zenith Bank, four years ago. The decision will enable MTN to extend its network reach in Africa’s most populous country, potentially to rural and unconnected areas, according to Olusola Teniola, president of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria. The carrier — Africa’s biggest by sales — has 67-million active customers in the country, more than half of whom use data services. “MTN is a dominant player in the voice segment and obviously they would like to ensure that they hold a leadership position in the data space,” Teniola said by phone. “Any operator...
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