Ntel has announced a national roaming field trial with 9Mobile. The operators have received regulatory approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to commence a national roaming
Both operators have received regulatory approval from the NCC to commence a national roaming trial over a two-month period.
Here’s how it works
According to ntel, the agreement will enable ntel’s customers to make calls on 9Mobile’s network using any 2G or 3G handset within the specified trial zone.
Commenting on the commencement of the national roaming trial, Ernest Akinlola, ntel’s CEO said:
“This agreement is a significant step in the right direction for us as a company and the telecommunications eco system. A full national roaming agreement with 9Mobile would provide our growing customer base with a seamless service over 4G/LTE superfast data and voice clarity as well as ubiquitous 3G and 2G coverage nationwide. Both operators are pioneers in innovation and we are pleased to be charting a new path for the industry.”
The national roaming test commenced on both networks from December 1, 2017.
About 9Mobile & Ntel
Ntel is owned by NatCom Development & Investment Ltd. (NatCom) and acquired the assets of State Owned Mtel and Nitel through a liquidation process that was concluded in 2015.
The company commenced operations in 2016 and started with broad band services. This move is expected to usher in its voice services, a segment considered the largest for GSM companies.
9Mobile is currently embroiled in a debt debacle with a consortium of Nigerian banks over loans which it has failed to repay. Regulators, CBN and NCC stepped in to stop the company from being taken over by the banks and broken into pieces and is currently midwifing a sale to strategic investors.
The CBN Governor informed reporters recently that the buyer should be announced by the end of this year. 9Mobile is Nigeria’s 4th largest GSM service provider.
