MTN Nigeria set to acquire frequency spectrum from T2 Mobile, starting from October 1st
MTN Nigeria Secures Frequency Spectrum Lease from T Mobile
MTN Nigeria Communications Plc has announced that it will not be renewing its one-year lease agreement with Natcom Development and Investment Ltd (Ntel) for frequency spectrum in the 900MHz and 1800MHz bands. The current lease, which covers 5MHz FDD in the 900MHz band and 10MHz FDD in the 1800MHz band across 17 states, is set to expire on November 29, 2025.
In a move aimed at enhancing network capacity, promoting collaboration in the telecom sector, and advancing broadband access and Nigeria's digital transformation, MTN Nigeria has secured approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to lease frequency spectrum from T Mobile Limited, formerly 9Mobile, starting October 1, 2025. The lease period is for three years.
The agreement includes leasing 5MHz frequency division duplex (FDD) in the 900MHz band and 15MHz FDD in the 1800MHz band from T Mobile. This partnership is crucial for the national roaming agreement between MTN Nigeria and T Mobile, which allows T Mobile subscribers to access MTN's network wherever T Mobile's infrastructure is limited.
Karl Toriola, CEO of MTN Nigeria, emphasised the company's ongoing commitment to investing in infrastructure and partnerships that enhance telecommunications services in Nigeria. He stated that the move is part of MTN Nigeria's strategy to invest in infrastructure and partnerships that align with its Ambition 2025 strategy.
The partnership between MTN Nigeria and T Mobile also involves onboarding Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) to drive industry innovation and long-term sustainability. This collaboration is expected to further boost network capacity and enhance broadband access in the country.
Recent data from the NCC shows a decline in teledensity in Nigeria to 78.11% from 79.22%, based on a population estimate of 216 million. The ongoing partnership between MTN Nigeria and T Mobile is expected to contribute to reversing this trend and improving telecommunications services in the country.
In July 2025, overall active mobile subscriptions in Nigeria fell to 169.1 million from 171.5 million, driven by losses at Airtel, MTN, and Globacom. Despite the subscriber gain, T Mobile, formerly 9Mobile, remained the fourth largest operator with 1.61% market share, while MTN retained market dominance with 52.7% share.
In a significant development, T Mobile recorded its first subscriber gain of the year in July 2025 with 290,601 new users. This growth was driven by the infrastructure sharing agreement with MTN Nigeria, which has been instrumental in T Mobile's first subscriber gain in nearly a year.
As MTN Nigeria prepares to transition from its current lease agreement, there is no information available about which company will lease the frequency spectrum to MTN Nigeria Communications plc starting October 1, 2025. However, the company remains optimistic about the future of telecommunications in Nigeria and its role in driving digital transformation in the country.
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