MTN Nigeria Ends Spectrum Lease with Ntel, Impacting Network Capacity
MTN Nigeria Communications Plc has announced it will not be renewing its spectrum lease agreement with Natcom Development & Investment Ltd (Ntel) when the current one-year term concludes in November 2025. This decision signifies a strategic shift in MTN’s network infrastructure plans, impacting how it provides mobile services, particularly in the crucial 900 MHz and 1800 MHz frequency bands.
Implications of the Spectrum Lease Termination
The spectrum lease with Ntel encompasses 5 MHz FDD in the 900 MHz band and 10 MHz FDD in the 1800 MHz band. This spectrum covers 17 Nigerian states. These bands are fundamental for mobile services, traditionally used for GSM, 3G, and 4G LTE, offering critical voice and data capacity. MTN originally acquired the NCC’s approval to leverage Ntel’s spectrum, aiming to enhance its network coverage and capacity. The decision to end the lease was disclosed in a filing to the Nigerian Exchange. MTN emphasized its continued dedication to investing in infrastructure and fostering partnerships.
While the agreement’s expiration may affect MTN’s immediate capacity, the company’s commitment to delivering innovative and quality telecommunications services suggests that other capacity solutions will be pursued. This development highlights the dynamic nature of the African telecommunications landscape, where operators constantly adapt to spectrum availability and market demands to maintain and enhance their services.
Keywords
Related Keywords: MTN Nigeria spectrum lease, Ntel spectrum lease, spectrum lease termination, MTN Ntel, Ntel, MTN Nigeria, November 2025, spectrum expiry, Nigerian telecom, mobile spectrum
