₦airaland Forum

MTN Group and Airtel Africa have signed a network infrastructure-sharing agreement in Nigeria and Uganda, aiming to reduce costs and expand mobile connectivity in underserved areas.

Under the agreement, both companies will explore various models of network collaboration, including Radio Access Network sharing and fibre infrastructure partnerships. This could involve the construction of new fibre networks where necessary.

The telecom giants announced the deal on Wednesday, highlighting its role in optimising operational expenses and enhancing service delivery, particularly in rural regions where access to digital services remains limited.

MTN and Airtel, which control 51.79 per cent and 34.11 per cent of Nigeria’s telecom market, respectively, have both been impacted by foreign exchange losses due to the depreciation of the naira.

To mitigate FX exposure, both MTN and Airtel have reduced investments in network infrastructure. This slowdown is part of their strategy to minimise foreign exchange losses and manage rising operational costs, such as surging energy

MTN Group President and Chief Executive Officer Ralph Mupita said the demand for data services continues to grow across Africa, reinforcing the need for strategic investments.

“At MTN, we are driven by the vision of delivering digital solutions that drive Africa’s progress and will continue to see strong structural demand for digital and financial services across our markets.

“To meet this demand, we continue to invest in coverage and capacity to ensure high-quality connectivity for our customers. That said, there are opportunities within regulatory frameworks for sharing resources to drive higher efficiencies and improve returns,” he said in a statement.

Following the Nigeria and Uganda agreements, both operators are exploring similar infrastructure-sharing opportunities in other markets, including Congo-Brazzaville, Rwanda, and Zambia.

Airtel Africa Chief Executive Officer Sunil Taldar described the partnership as a practical approach to building a more extensive digital infrastructure while ensuring cost efficiency.

“As we compete fiercely in the market on the strength of our brand, services and offerings, we are building common infrastructure within the permissible regulatory framework.

“This provides a more robust and extensive digital highway to drive digital and financial inclusion while avoiding duplication of expensive infrastructure to drive operational efficiencies and benefits for our customers,” he said.

Airtel Africa serves over 156 million customers across 14 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, while MTN Group operates in 19 countries across Africa and the Middle East, with a customer base of 287 million.

Source: https://punchng.com/mtn-airtel-plan-cost-reduction-in-network-sharing-deal/

thieves

Only one thing brings them together, that is how to exploit Nigerians.

@Airtel NG, if you’re reading this, I want to address a critical issue regarding your network performance in Ogulagha/Forcados. It's clear that there are significant shortcomings in your service here. Despite my previous communications with your customer care team, there has been a lack of effective action taken to resolve these problems. It’s unacceptable for a network to be non-functional for two consecutive days. Even when the connection is reestablished, it remains inconsistent, mimicking the unreliable service we associate with NEPA. Currently, your internet speed is the slowest compared to the other two providers in the area. I urge you to take immediate steps to improve this situation.


To the telecommunications company operating in Nigeria: If I decide to sign up for your internet service, I can’t help but wonder what will happen if I experience an outage. Will you really provide a refund? It’s disheartening to think about how much time and money your inefficiency has already cost Nigerians. We feel let down in this regard.

Good news. God bless Nigeria

Thank God make data reduce.

Let the poor breathe

News which if agreed today, would take three to four years to fully implement. Life goes on. Airtel will benefit the most from this venture. MTN has masts almost everywhere. MTN will benefit from pockets of locations where Airtel or Globacom service is the only option available. Data speeds will not increase. However, the ability to make calls wherever one finds him/herself will become the new normal.

When ?

Am i the only one experiencing this? 9mobile network is no longer available on my phone: it tells me my sim is not provisioned.
Have gone to their Abuja office, the office looks abandoned as their even no customer...

What's happening to 9mobile?

descartes400:
Am i the only one experiencing this? 9mobile network is no longer available on my phone: it tells me my sim is not provisioned.
Have gone to their Abuja office, the office looks abandoned as their even no customer...

What's happening to 9mobile?

You aren't the only one.
The company has folded up technically.
Port out of it

Should I believe this news?

Abeg o. They should hurry up . Please does anyone here know what happened to NTEL ?

I haven't been able to use it for more than 2 years now.

Quelme:
Only one thing brings them together, that is how to exploit Nigerians.

If them no do am, u cannot post these comment u just made. They are better off than the politicians. Their costs of business in Nigeria is too high. I wonder how they be have been coping

descartes400:
Am i the only one experiencing this? 9mobile network is no longer available on my phone: it tells me my sim is not provisioned.
Have gone to their Abuja office, the office looks abandoned as their even no customer...

What's happening to 9mobile?

9mobile is technically dead in the field

This one don kolo

Ikaeniyan0:
Good news. God bless Nigeria

Great100000:
Source: https://punchng.com/mtn-airtel-plan-cost-reduction-in-network-sharing-deal/

What is the projected reduction in cost to subscribers?

When is the timeline?

We expect details not an unspecific statement.

MTN and Airtel are too big to make such ambiguous statements.

owem19:
This one don kolo

Is this how you talk to your parents at home?

Grand pa way no get sense, sycophant

Ikaeniyan0:
Is this how you talk to your parents at home?

dey now "STEAL" DATA

owem19:
Grand pa way no get sense, sycophant

Seun Mynd44 fergie001 owem19 has broken rule 2.

They should hurry, data cost

DIVINEEVIDENCE:
Unless they collapse into one giant network, I see this agreement backfiring.

If they merge, do you think it will favour the masses? The competion will die and you will pay more for poorer network

Asset sharing is not a new thing in the telecommunications sector.

It’s been happening for years.

Quelme:
Only one thing brings them together, that is how to exploit Nigerians.

More Tariff for Nigerians.

Airthieves.

Data buying is very costly now. Mtn, Airtel and Glo should do something. They should reduce the cost of data 😒 😤

To hell with you and your nonsense forum, cry me a river

Ikaeniyan0:
Seun Mynd44 fergie001 owem19 has broken rule 2.

DIVINEEVIDENCE:
Unless they collapse into one giant network, I see this agreement backfiring.

Bsck firing na understatement
Na back bombing oo

Mopolchi:
Data buying is very costly now. Mtn, Airtel and Glo should do something. They should reduce the cost of data 😒 😤

True, you can get affordable plans from us

DIVINEEVIDENCE:
Unless they collapse into one giant network, I see this agreement backfiring.

will collapsing into one giant network affect the exchange rate and reduce their cost of operation?