After nearly five years of delays, telecom operator 9Mobile has finally received approval to launch nationwide roaming services on MTN Nigeria’s network.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) permitted 9Mobile customers to use MTN’s infrastructure for data, calls, and texts starting on June 1, in places where 9Mobile’s coverage is spotty or nonexistent.
Roaming agreement to improve 9Mobile’s network quality
9Mobile will now be able to connect directly to MTN’s extensive network, gaining coverage without investing in developing its own infrastructure.
In exchange for hosting the mobile phone company, MTN benefits from partial access to 9Mobile’s underutilised spectrum holdings in the 900MHz, 1800MHz, and 2100MHz bands.
According to statistics from market research firm Omdia, 9Mobile has lost a significant number of users in Nigeria over the last several years. The clearance would allow the company to regain its share of the Nigerian market.
MTN and 9mobile carried out a three-month limited national roaming experiment in October 2020. However, once the pilot ended, there was no commercial deployment, the deal stalled, and 9Mobile kept losing customers.
Risk of 9Mobile going extinct without the roaming agreement
The operator’s market share fell from about 10 per cent in early 2019 to a record-breaking 1.72 per cent in March 2025, and 9Mobile runs the risk of going extinct without this collaboration.
This extra spectrum might improve service quality and ease congestion for MTN, which has over 90 million consumers in Nigeria.
According to Omdia, 9mobile had the fewest mobile users in Nigeria, with slightly under 3 million at the end of the first quarter of 2025.
With 58 million users during the same period, Airtel Nigeria is the second-largest mobile operator in the nation.
By the conclusion of 2025’s first quarter, Glo Mobile had nearly 21 million mobile users.
If the rollout is successful, it might set a standard for smaller providers seeking to compete with market titans like MTN and Airtel.
9mobile loses over 300,000 subscribers in two months
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) quarterly report revealed that 9mobile lost 318,825 subscribers between February and March 2025, bringing its customer base down to 2.96 million and its market share down from 1.9 per cent in January to just 1.72 per cent, while rivals like MTN and Airtel reported slight improvements.
This decline has raised concerns about 9mobile’s network coverage and customer retention in Nigeria’s telecom market, especially during the delayed roaming agreement with MTN.
This development emphasises how difficult it is becoming for telecom operators to retain their subscriber base, particularly in a market dominated by more established competitors.
Delayed roaming agreement caused 9mobile’s subscriber loss
The primary cause of the issue is the delayed implementation of a nationwide roaming contract with MTN Nigeria.
This agreement would have allowed 9Mobile users to access MTN’s extensive network, especially in rural areas. However, despite discussions starting in 2021, the project was stalled due to delayed approval.
As a result, many 9Mobile customers in areas with poor coverage have switched to networks with better service.
Nigeria’s telecom competitive landscape
Nigeria’s telecom industry is highly competitive, with aggressive marketing and advanced technologies from MTN, Airtel, and Glo. Without a solid plan or quick solution, 9mobile could continue to lose ground.
9mobile may also explore new partnerships, infrastructure improvements, or customer loyalty programs to regain trust.