Telecom
Worries as N30Bn Debt Threatens Telecom Sector

The telecoms sector already contending with many problems hindering quality of service; may be finally knocked down by the huge interconnect debt profile which is growing by the day, according to Daily Trust.
Also known as termination rates, interconnect fee is the charge paid by telecoms companies to each other for terminating voice, data or other services over or across each other’s network.
The interconnectivity debt rose which has hit N30 billion, according the operators in the industry, is giving them sleepless night.
The operators said this together with the rising capital expenditure (Capex) and operational expenditure (Opex) may kill the industry
.
These debts in the industry, according to industry experts, are capable of threatening the stability of the Africa’s largest telecoms market, if the consequences of not settling the debts are not effectively managed by the government.
Daily Trust findings showed that the Interconnect debt profile increase was due to inactive status of majority of the debtors who are mainly Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), fixed line networks operators as well as Internet Service Providers (ISPs).
Already, about 14 licensed telecoms operators who are among the debtors of interconnect charges have been declared inactive by the Nigerian Communications Commission(NCC).
Some of these operators which had gone moribund include Starcomms, Reliance Telecoms (operating as Zoom), Intercellular Nigeria, MTS First Communications, Disc Communications, WiTel, O’Net (Odua Telecom), Rainbownet, Monarch Communications, XS Broadband, Webcom and IPNX.
Investigations also revealed that various active operators failed to settle their interconnect payment for calls initiated on their networks and terminating on competitors’ networks, a development that has increased the interconnectivity debt profile in the country.
Concerns over this huge debt profile and its implications on business activities in the sector brought the issue into discussion when Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, recently made an official visit to some telecoms companies in Lagos where he promised government commitment to address the matter.
Shittu said the government would look into the issue “to see how the issue of the debt may be resolved” in the interest of industry stability.
Bearing the highest consequences of the interconnectivity debt is MTN Nigeria being owed the lion’s share to the tune of N13.6 billion.
This amount owed MTN represents about 40 per cent of the total debts as the largest operator with 63 million subscribers and as such, often receive more terminations on its network has incurred more unsettled interconnect rates from other players.
Oyeronke Oyetunde, general manager, Regulatory Affairs, MTN Nigeria lamented that, “The issue of the rising profile of interconnectivity debt is something we need to discuss in the industry. Otherwise, it may pose questions around sustainability of the industry.”
An official of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications of Nigeria (ALTON) also told Daily Trust that the issue of rising interconnect debt is giving the association a serious headache.
The official who pleaded to remain anonymous blamed the poor economic situation in the country as the cause. He called on the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) to do something urgent about the issue.
Charles Ike Nnamani, managing director, Medallion Communications, blamed the situation on the lack of clear settlement mechanism in the industry.
According to him, one of the core functions of inter connect clearing house is billing and settlement among operators but some services providers used to handle traffic exchange directly.
He said interconnect debts are a major factor against good quality of service as some operators deliberately deny competitor access to their networks if they owed terminating charge.
Nnamani stressed the need for a clear interconnectivity settlement scheme in industry to address the problem.
He said, “The truth is that, at the moment because of the way the major dominant operators have handled inter connectivity, there is no clear settlement in the industry and that is one of the things we are working at creating, within the next few months we hope to have a proper settlement scheme for the telecom industry in Nigeria. There is a lot of debt out there among the operators.”
Other industry analysts expressed concerns that while the government intervention may signal a possible resolution towards preventing the development from resulting in cutting off the networks of the debtor companies, it remains unknown how a company such as MTN and others being owed will recover their money from debtors’ organisations that are out of operations.
But a telecoms right activist, Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo said whatever happens between the operators as regards the debt issue should not be passed on to the consumers.
Telecom
Vitel Wireless Lures Subscribers with “Data that Never Expires” Campaign

Vitel Wireless, pioneer Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) licensed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has launched an audacious “data that never expires” campaign designed to address consumer pain points in the market.

Kenneth Nwabueze, Chairman and CEO of Vitel Wireless
Fast-depleting data is a major issue for mobile users, particularly in Nigeria, with numerous complaints against network providers alleging that data plans exhaust prematurely.
But Vitel Wireless said it is now addressing the situation after extensive engagement with Nigerian consumers, particularly young people and small businesses.
Kenneth Neabueze, chairman of Vitel Wireless, said “What we’re saying to Nigerians is this, you buy the data, and you keep the data for as long as you want. There’s no more. You bought 2GB for two days, and it expires. If you buy that data under our scheme, it stays with you forever,” he said.
He added that the model promotes transparency and cost efficiency. “So it’s saving us money, it’s giving us transparency, and it’s giving us the ability to have control over how we spend and use our data,” he stated.
He noted that the concept was inspired by research into the everyday challenges Nigerians face.
“We talked to students who would tell us that in the middle of doing a project, they would be told that the data had expired, and we asked, ‘ How do we innovate?” We have analysed it, and we know, given the current economic conditions in Nigeria, you should buy the data with discounts of almost 40 per cent, and that’s why we are transparent”
The company has also unveiled a suite of products and services aimed at redefining connectivity, including its flagship Vitel Xphone.
The company explained that its services are available via both physical SIMs and eSIMs, with the 0712 number offering global use.
According to the firm, users can retain existing mobile numbers or migrate seamlessly, while enjoying nationwide coverage across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory with full GSM services including voice, SMS, USSD, and mobile data.
Chudi Nwabueze, chief operating officer of Vitel Wireless, described the firm as a technology telecom focused on innovation beyond traditional voice and data services.
“We’re coming in with a lot of innovation to activate applications and create tools that people can use in their businesses, homes, and daily lives,” he said.
He added that eSIM technology allows users to operate multiple lines on compatible devices, while introducing a range of digital solutions aimed at enhancing communication, safety, and business operations, anchored by its flagship Xphone.
Hence, the platform combines GSM and VoIP technologies to deliver seamless voice, video, and messaging services, along with cost-saving benefits and nationwide connectivity.
It is complemented by the Oga App, which enables real-time staff monitoring, automated payroll, and performance tracking to improve organisational efficiency.
Similarly, the network also rolled out SecureMe and Asset Tracker to address security and asset management needs.
While SecureMe provides GPS tracking and emergency alerts for personal and workplace safety, Asset Tracker helps businesses monitor and manage physical assets in real time.
Vitel Wireless noted that on pricing, challenged consumers to compare daily data costs across operators, while adding that the network offers discounts for higher volumes without imposing expiry limits.
Also speaking, Chinenye Adebayo, relationship partnership manager, outlined opportunities for Nigerians to join the company’s distribution network by visiting the website and becoming a mobile agent or sun-agents in any state.
The company noted that its offerings, including Close User Group (CUG) services and high-speed wireless network, are designed to provide integrated digital solutions for individuals and enterprises, as it seeks to position itself as a disruptive force in Nigeria’s telecom sector.
Telecom
Nigeria, Ghana Trigger Stunning 45 Percent Surge in MTN Dividends

MTN Group delivered impressive financial and operational achievements for 2025, boosted by strong performances in MTN Nigeria and MTN Ghana, as well as solid earnings from MTN South Africa.

The three core markets of Africa’s largest mobile provider enhanced profitability, free cash flow, and shareholder dividends by 45%.
IT Web Africa reported that Ralph Mupita, group CEO and president, MTN, highlighted that the telecoms giant’s robust commercial momentum across key markets capped the final year of its Ambition 2025 strategy, while laying the foundation for a new long-term growth phase under Ambition 2030.
“The Group’s overall performance in 2025 was excellent. In the final year of our Ambition 2025 strategy, we were proud to have exceeded the 300 million customers milestone,” he said.
MTN revealed that it now serves more than 307 million voice subscribers, 172 million data users, and 70 million Mobile Money customers across 16 African markets, reflecting the continent’s growing demand for digital connectivity and financial services.
The operator credited its results to disciplined commercial execution and sustained investment in network infrastructure, with R38 billion spent during the year to expand capacity, improve coverage and enhance service quality.
The group reported that data traffic surged 27%, while average monthly data consumption per user climbed to 12.5GB, up from 10.8GB a year earlier, reflecting Africa’s fast-growing appetite for digital services.
Financially, the performance was driven by MTN’s largest markets.
In constant currency terms, MTN Nigeria grew service revenue by 54.9%, while MTN Ghana increased service revenue by 35.9%.
Meanwhile, MTN South Africa recorded 2% growth, demonstrating operational resilience in one of the continent’s most mature and competitive telecom markets.
MTN Group service revenue rose nearly a quarter to R218 billion, while earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation climbed to R98.5 billion, supported by R3.6 billion in expense efficiencies.
Mupita stressed that the strong results translated into robust free cash flow and improved return generation, allowing the board to declare a dividend of 500 cents per share, up from 345 cents the previous year.
“This comfortably exceeds the minimum dividend of 370 cents we had previously guided,” he said.
The group also announced a R6 billion share buyback programme as part of an enhanced shareholder remuneration framework aimed at delivering stronger long-term returns.
Alongside its results, MTN unveiled Ambition 2030, a strategy centred on three platforms, connectivity, fintech and digital infrastructure, as it seeks to capture the next wave of growth driven by data adoption and financial inclusion across Africa.
“We are hugely excited about Africa’s potential. We are well positioned to leverage our scale, footprint and brand leadership to capture the significant structural growth opportunities identified,” said Mupita.
Source: IT Web Africa
Telecom
ATCIS Urges FG to Ensure Safety of Consumers Data

Association of Telephone, Cable TV, and Internet Subscribers of Nigeria (ATCIS) non-profit consumer rights group dedicated to protecting the rights, interests, and welfare of telecommunications subscribers, has urged the Federal Government to ensure safety of telecom consumers’ data hosted by government agencies.

Dr Sina Bilesanmi, president of the body stated this World Consumers Day in Lagos.
He alleged that said subscribers” data are being jeopardised by some of its agencies.
Bilesanmi urged government to ensure that every subscriber in Nigeria can use digital service without fear of physical, financial, or data-related harm.
The ACTIS president said safety in the telecommunication sector extends beyond physical hardware to include data privacy and protection from cyber fraud.
“We call for stricter enforcement by the Standard organization of Nigeria (SON) to eliminate substandard mobile devices and Cable Tv equipment that pose fire or electric hazards.
“We also want safe services from telecoms that are transparent – free from hidden charges and misleading advertisements”, he said.
He urged subscribers to utilize platforms like ACTIS as well as NCC and even FCCPC web portal when they encounter service failures.
He also tasked FG on hosting Nigerian Data Privacy in the country.
He said: “We ask for more robust surveillance and swifter penalties for entities that violate consumer safety standards. We admonish the subscribers to be aware and speak out, a vigilant consumer is a protected consumer.”
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