Nigeria: Regulator awards licenses to 25 mobile virtual network operators for $12.5 million
June 7th 2023
The advent of virtual mobile network operators should strengthen competition in the Nigerian telecom market to the benefit of consumers. Until then, the market is shared between mobile network operators MTN, Globacom, Airtel and 9mobile.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has just awarded operating licenses to 25 new mobile virtual network operators (MVNO) for a total amount of 5.9 billion naira (12.5 million USD). These resources will enable their holders to provide specific telecom services relying on mobile network operators (MNOs) for the next ten years.
The awarding of the first licenses to MVNOs is the culmination of steps taken since 2017 by the NCC. The initiative is part of the measures taken by the regulator to improve regulations in order to take into account the rapid and continuous development of the sector. Over the past two years, the regulator has allocated additional capacity to telecom operators in order to improve 3G/4G networks and deploy 5G.
“ In its desire to create an enabling environment, the Commission has introduced an MVNO license which will create jobs and bridge the gap between the unserved and the underserved in society. It will also promote competition and provide choice for telecom consumers ,” said Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice President of the NCC.
The latest statistics from the NCC indicate that Nigeria had 223.6 million mobile phone subscribers at the end of April, down about 2.5 million from the previous month. The number of subscribers to data services amounted to 158.2 million, of which 91.8 million are connected to broadband. In addition, around 25 million people still do not have access to basic telephone services, according to the regulator/
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