The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced the award of a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) license to Routelink.
The commission stated in a statement on Tuesday that this is the company’s third license since entering the Nigerian telecoms market.
According to the NCC, MVNO certification is a new mobile licence category targeted at closing the gap between the unserved and underserved populations in the country.
A Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) is a company that does not own a mobile spectrum license but provides mobile services under its own brand name on the network of a licensed mobile operator.
According to Femi Adeoti, group managing director of Routelink Group, the new licensing of MVNOs, a new category in Nigeria, would result in reduced pricing, more service options, and better service quality for users.
“Routelink is excited about the opportunities that abound in the Nigerian telecom marketplace and is determined to make a major difference as regards the quality of service and innovation,” Adeoti said.
Ikechukwu Nguzo, managing director of Routelink telecom stated that, “MVNOs have continued to gain traction across the world, with the increase in mobile phone users globally.
“The increased usage of smartphones and mobile data services, as well as the growing preference for flexible and customised mobile services, are primarily responsible for the growth.
“However, the success of MVNOs in Nigeria would depend on various factors such as regulatory policies, infrastructure availability, and market demand.”