Information obtained on Tuesday indicates that MTN Nigeria and Emerging Markets Telecommunications Service Limited (EMTS), doing business as 9mobile in Nigeria, are in the advanced stages of discussions for a spectrum trade, which is a feasible means of concluding a telecom agreement, barring any last-minute changes.
According to Technology Times, 9mobile is considering using the spectrum trade option to get back on its feet. The telecom company had fallen on hard times after Mubadala of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a major technical partner and investor, left in 2017.
Although Chinese Amanfo, the 9mobile spokeswoman, did not answer her call to verify the veracity of the report, an MTN source informed The Guardian that the two telecom companies are really engaged in a deal.
The source claims that "the deal is on between the two firms." You are aware of the implications when it comes to MTN starting with the spectrum. The lifeline of any telecom company is spectrum. It is still developing, and in the upcoming weeks, additional information will become available.
But according to a close 9mobile source who talked with The Guardian anonymously, there was nothing substantial in the story that was making waves in the media.
You'll notice that the story is jumbled if you read it carefully. There are references to spectrum, MNVO, and Globacom COO in different places. I firmly believe that 9mobile's management would be upfront and honest if they wanted to sell shares to MTN. The tale that is currently circulating in the media has absolutely no direction," he said.