MTN Joins High-Speed Network Battle with 4G Launch in Nigeria

A high-speed network showdown appears to be on the horizon in Nigeria, as MTN steps into the ring with its nationwide 4G service. At a notable event in Abuja recently, MTN’s Chief Operating Officer, Mohammed Siddiqui, unveiled the company’s ambitious plans for its 4G service. Siddiqui, speaking on behalf of CEO Ferdi Moolman, outlined how MTN, leveraging the acquisition of the 2.6GHz spectrum earlier this year, aims to spearhead Nigeria’s target of achieving 30 percent broadband coverage by 2018.

Presently, Nigeria’s broadband coverage stands just one-third of the way toward the ambitious 30 percent target. However, the launch of nationwide services by MTN and Glo, industry titans in Nigeria, likely ignites the starting gun on the race to increased connectivity. Already, whispers are circulating about a similar announcement from telecom heavyweight, Etisalat. Meanwhile, Airtel and newcomer nTel, who centered their 2016 launch around data services, may not lag far behind. With voice penetration in Nigeria nearly maxed out at 100 percent, data rather unsurprisingly seems to be the new warfront.

Consequently, last week’s announcement by Glo of its own nationwide 4G service launch, seems to have set the stage for a technological race to the top. As Nigeria transitions into the 4G era, one thing seems certain: a thrilling face-off is in the offing as telecom titans vie for supremacy.

The globally shifting telecommunications landscape brings a sobering caveat to this local 4G euphoria. Although 4G technology is still nascent in Nigeria, a global pivot toward the next generation of mobile networks, 5G, is already under way. Nigeria stands poised to take great strides in broadband coverage, and the exciting developments with 4G technology are just the beginning.