MTN Nigeria, the country's largest mobile operator, is poised to acquire 9mobile's operating spectrum in a landmark deal. The proposed acquisition, which is at an advanced stage of negotiations, would see MTN take over 9Mobile's network and subscriber base, consolidating its position as the region's leading telecoms provider.
The potential deal comes amidst 9Mobile's ongoing financial struggles. Following the departure of its key technical partner and investors in 2017, the telco has faced significant challenges, losing millions of subscribers and struggling to maintain its network infrastructure. At the peak of its operations in January 2016, 9mobile boasted 22.04 million mobile subscriptions. However, by August 2023, this number had declined dramatically to 13.79 million. In contrast, MTN Nigeria's subscriber base has grown steadily, reaching 85.01 million by August 2023.
The acquisition of 9mobile's spectrum would provide MTN Nigeria with a substantial advantage, expanding its network coverage and subscriber base across Nigeria. It would also eliminate a direct competitor, further consolidating MTN's dominance in the Nigerian telecoms market.
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