NIGERIA – 9mobile has revealed that it is investing US$220m in the expansion of its 4G LTE to more Nigerian cities as part of efforts to deepen broadband penetration in the country.
The company at a press conference in Lagos revealed that it had added 10 new cities and towns across Nigeria to its 4G network and upgraded LTE services in existing six cities.
The Ag. Managing Director, Stephane Beuvelet, explained that the investment had increased the number of cities and towns in Nigeria that now enjoy quality service with the mass deployment of 4G technology to 16.
According to him, the 4G LTE expansion drive will be implemented in Aba, Abuja, Nasarawa, Calabar, Enugu, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Niger, Onitsha, Owerri, Port Harcourt, Sokoto, Uyo, Aba and Ogun.
He stated that the company planned to cover the entire country in the next five years.
Beuvelet identified the unique benefits available to customers with the 9mobile 4G LTE, including a low latency rate for high-speed connectivity and planned redundancy to minimise downtime impact.
He further assured of sustained investments into the network’s general infrastructure base to guarantee best-in-class experience for its customers.
9mobile, currently Nigeria’s 4th largest telecoms provider had a very rough 2019 as it continues to suffer from the effects of its financial troubles.
Although 9mobile lost a lot of subscribers last year due to uncertainty over the firms stability, recent reports show signs of resuscitation as the telecom registered the highest number of incoming ports from other telecoms.
Most importantly, in August 2019, the telecom company obtained a $230million loan facility from the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) to help re-position its brand after its Financial troubles.
In the last year, broadband penetration in Nigeria has risen to about 33% and still growing. According to Jumia’s 2019 Mobile Report, about 44% of Nigeria’s 120 million internet subscribers use 3G, with just 4% connected to 4G technology.
However, there is a growing demand for 4G as more internet users are opting for 4G enabled sims especially in urban areas. There has also been an increase in 4G expansion as more telcos like MTN and Airtel are using it as marketing strategy to draw in more subscriber.
Investment in 4G penetration to provide faster internet service for it subscribers can be a very good strategy for 9mobile to draw in more subscribers as subscribers are always looking for the fastest internet service.
