NATCOMS backs MTN on acquisition of 800MHz spectrum

The National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS) has urged the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to approve the transfer of Visafone licences and 800MHz spectrum to MTN for immediate deployment of services in the interest of telecom subscribers across the country. This was contained in a letter to the commission signed by the NATCOMS’ national president, […]

The National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS) has urged the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to approve the transfer of Visafone licences and 800MHz spectrum to MTN for immediate deployment of services in the interest of telecom subscribers across the country.

This was contained in a letter to the commission signed by the NATCOMS’ national president, Chief Adeolu Ogunbanjo, a copy of which was obtained by our reporter in Lagos.

The group said it backed MTN because telecommunications subscribers want good and qualitative telecommunications products and services, adding that “only an operator that is willing to invest to support optimal deployment of the Visafone assets of 800mhz will be able to provide new and sustained services for telecom subscribers.”

“From a precedent perspective, there has been at least two previous similar transactions – in 2007, Visafone Communications Limited acquired the licenses and frequency spectrum of Independent Telephone Networks Limited, Bourdex Telecommunications Limited and Cellcom Limited, the commission duly approved the three acquisition transactions’’, it stated.