The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has granted regulatory approval for a three-year national roaming agreement between MTN Nigeria Communications Plc and Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services Limited, also known as 9Mobile.
The agreement allows 9Mobile subscribers to roam on MTN Nigeria’s network infrastructure in the country with the attendant positive implications for 9Mobileservice delivery and mobile connectivity in underserved areas.
Confirming the deal in a regulatory filing with the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), MTN Nigeria stated:
“The agreement allows 9Mobile subscribers to roam seamlessly on MTN Nigeria’s network, fostering industry collaboration and enhancing operational efficiencies. By leveraging our extensive coverage, 9Mobile can now provide improved mobile communication services to its customers.”
Commenting on the roaming pact between his company and 9Mobile, MTN Nigeria CEO, Karl Toriola, described the partnership as a strategic step toward bridging telecoms coverage gaps and enhancing national connectivity.
He said: “This agreement represents a significant milestone in our commitment to improving customer experience, deepening industry collaboration, and supporting the NCC’s vision of a fully connected Nigeria. Delivering the scale required for telecom services in Nigeria demands collaboration across the private sector, public institutions, and long-term investors.”
It would be recalled that in 2020, the NCC had approved a pilot roaming project between the two MNOs in Ondo State. The latest approval of the roaming pact between the telcos will lay the groundwork for the broader nationwide implementation of their collaboration.
The just approved roaming pact for the MNOs is expected to boost the telecom industry growth by encouraging the efficient utilization of existing infrastructure, reducing capital and operational expenditures, and expanding nationwide access to reliable mobile telecom services.
This agreement aligns with the NCC’s long-standing stance on infrastructure sharing by MNOs in the telecom industry.