NCC Mulls 9mobile Decision

The Nigerian Communications Commission may soon make a decision that may impact 9mobile’s operation.

This decision is allegedly set to overtake whatever deal may be ongoing between the telco and MTN Nigeria, a source said

According to the source, MTN is currently engaging 9mobile on the usage of the latter’s underutilised GSM spectrum. The source said, “MTN is engaging 9mobile to be able to share their underutilised GSM spectrum. So, they want to share some of the underutilised parts. But technically, the way they are trying to do it, it is almost like using the whole of it. It is not an acquisition per se, but it is more or less taking over the spectrum resource and using it.”

However, the discussion between MTN and 9mobile is only scratching the surface of events that might occur within the telecom space soon.

The source stated, “But the truth is that there are so many things going on with 9mobile now that we cannot say anything because some drastic decisions might be taken in some days to come.”

They added, “The truth is that the commission itself is about to take some decisions which will overtake those that MTN is engaging 9mobile on.”

In November, The PUNCH reported that MTN Nigeria and 9mobile were in talks over the possibility of acquiring the operating license of the latter.

Clarifying the deal’s status, a source in the firm told The PUNCH that a national roaming deal might be what materialises from the conversation since there are fears, from the regulator, of the firm becoming a monopoly.

The source said, “If there would be anything with those people, it would be done through a national roaming arrangement. Because the regulators are concerned that if we acquire them or take over their spectrum, it would seem as though we have become a monopoly. It is not something they would be open to. But when it concerns national roaming, it will favour 9mobile subscribers who will have access to our coverage.

“This is what is being explored presently. The takeover/acquisition talk is a lot dicier.”

Recently, MTN Group’s spokesperson, Nompilo Morafo, in media reports, confirmed that its Nigerian arm is exploring national roaming opportunities.

Morafo said, “MTN Nigeria is not looking to acquire 9Mobile spectrum. MTN Nigeria has been exploring national roaming opportunities in Nigeria in line with the group strategy of network as a service.”

9mobile has fallen on tough times since its technical partner and investors left with the telco losing millions of subscribers since then. As of January 2016, the telco had 22.04 million mobile subscriptions which has now declined to 13.79 million as of August 2023. Airtel, MTN Nigeria, and Globacom had 33.59 million, 56.85 million and 34.004 million mobile subscriptions respectively as of January 2016.

They now have (as of August 2023) mobile subscriptions of 60.17 million, 85.01 million, and 61.39 million respectively.

Efforts to reach the spokesperson for 9mobile, Chineze Amanfo, proved abortive at the time of filing this report.

December 23, 2023