There’s been an interesting new development in the ongoing story of the repositioning of Nigerian operator 9mobile as T2 Mobile. It involves a spectrum deal with one of the country’s leading operators, MTN Nigeria.
Specifically, MTN Nigeria has received approval from regulator the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to lease frequency spectrum from T2 Mobile Limited.
Under the agreement, effective 1 October 2025, MTN Nigeria will lease 5MHz FDD in the 900MHz band and 15MHz FDD in the 1800MHz band from T2 Mobile for an initial period of three years.
According to MTN, the lease arrangement is a key enabler of its recently announced national roaming agreement with T2, ensuring the operator can manage increased network traffic from T2’s customer base on its infrastructure. The initiative is said to highlight a broader industry push towards collaboration, spectrum sharing, and expanding broadband access. It’s also being described as aimed at boosting network capacity and advancing digital inclusion across the country.
Of course, for MTN the extra capacity will support growth in demand for data and voice services, but it could also be good for the environment. MTN Nigeria has described the new lease and roaming agreement as aligned with its Ambition 2025 strategy, which focuses on expanding broadband access and improving cost-efficiency through partnerships, infrastructure sharing and environmentally sustainable practices.
Indeed, Karl Toriola, CEO, MTN Nigeria is widely quoted as saying: “By leveraging additional spectrum resources, we are enhancing network capacity in a cost-efficient and environmentally sustainable way.”
He also argues that MTN is fostering a more collaborative telecom ecosystem, not just by its a national roaming agreement with T2 but also by onboarding mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs).
News service Techpoint Africa says that as part of this spectrum realignment, MTN will not be renewing its ongoing one-year lease with service provider Natcom Development & Investment Limited (NTEL), which is set to expire on 29 November. That lease currently covers 5MHz in the 900MHz band and 10MHz in the 1800MHz band across 17 states.
This seems to be yet another piece of positive news for T2 Mobile, whose overall market share, while small, seems to be stabilising. However, as our recent overview indicates, the company may still have a long way to go after a turbulent few years.
