According to industry reports, a new telecom player, Mafab Communications, is set to join Nigeria’s telecom industry. This comes as the country’s telecom regulator opens up opportunities for more competition in the 5G space.
With the entry of Mafab Communications, the number of telecom providers offering 5G services will increase to five, joining existing giants like MTN and Airtel. Mafab Communications secured a 5G license in December 2021 through a successful bid of US$273.6 million and aims to cover approximately 30 cities with its 5G services.
Unlike its competitors, Mafab has taken a different approach by building its network infrastructure from scratch rather than relying on infrastructure-sharing agreements. Despite facing some challenges, including missing the initial deadline set by the regulator for network rollout, Mafab Communications has been granted an extension.
The company now has the task of investing substantial funds to build its network infrastructure and ensure a smooth launch.
However, concerns have been raised about Mafab’s readiness as they recently started selling 5G routers before a confirmed network launch without providing concrete product demonstrations or a definitive launch date. Meanwhile, market leader MTN has already rolled out 5G services in Nigeria, establishing a presence in 13 cities and over 700 sites.
The entry of Mafab Communications is expected to intensify competition within the telecom industry, leading to improved services and innovations for consumers. This increased competition in the 5G space will likely accelerate the development of Nigeria’s digital infrastructure, benefiting consumers and driving economic growth.
As Nigeria’s telecom landscape welcomes Mafab Communications, it will be interesting to see how this new entrant shakes up the market and positions itself against established players like MTN and Airtel.
