MTN Spectrum Lease Deal Fuels Optimism for T2mobile in Nigeria
The Nigerian telecommunications landscape is witnessing a significant development as MTN Nigeria and T2mobile (formerly 9Mobile) have finalized a spectrum lease agreement, injecting a dose of optimism into the struggling T2mobile. This three-year deal, commencing October 1, 2025, will see MTN lease crucial spectrum bands from T2mobile, coupled with a national roaming agreement designed to bolster T2mobile’s network coverage and user experience across the country.
Unpacking the MTN-T2mobile Agreement
The core of the agreement involves MTN leasing 5 MHz of Frequency Division Duplexing (FDD) spectrum in the 900 MHz band and 15 MHz of FDD in the 1800 MHz band from T2mobile. This is a strategic move that will significantly enhance T2mobile’s capacity to deliver services, particularly in areas where its own infrastructure may be limited. Crucially, the lease is integrated with a national roaming agreement. This crucial component grants T2mobile subscribers access to MTN’s extensive network, effectively allowing them to connect and utilize services even in regions with weak or nonexistent T2mobile coverage. This partnership has received the green light from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), signifying regulatory approval and a step towards a more competitive and accessible telecommunications market in Nigeria. Furthermore, as part of this deal, MTN will not be extending its current one-year lease with Natcom Development & Investment Limited (NTEL), which is due to expire on November 29, 2025.
The deal represents a potential turning point for T2mobile, providing a lifeline to improve its service delivery and market position.
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