This could be just the first such agreement between the two and could be extended to the RAN and fibre, but the partnership does not exclude deals with other parties
MTN Group and Airtel Africa have agreed to share mobile networks in Uganda and Nigeria to optimise investment while expanding their coverage.
MTN Group’s CEO, Ralph Mupita (pictured), said in a statement, “There are opportunities within regulatory frameworks for sharing resources to drive higher [operational] efficiencies and improve returns.”
Airtel Africa’s CEO, Sunil Taldar added, “As we compete fiercely in the market on the strength of our brand, services and our offerings we are building common infrastructure, with in the permissible regulatory framework, to provide a more robust and extensive digital highway to drive digital and financial inclusion at the same time avoiding duplication of expensive infrastructure to drive operational efficiencies and benefits for our customers”.
Other possibilities
MTN and Airtel Africa are exploring various opportunities in other markets, including Congo-Brazzaville, Rwanda and Zambia. They are considering sharing RANs and establishing commercial and technical agreements to share fibre infrastructure and possibly the construction of fibre networks.
The statement also noted that, “This engagement does not preclude the parties from collaborating with other operators in any respective market”.
