According to The Guardian Online, Etisalat has instituted legal action against MTN for the acquisition of Visafone’ 800MHz spectrum. Visafone was the last surviving CDMA operator in Nigeria owned by Jim Ovia.
According to Chinesie Amanfo, Etisalat’s Public Relations Regulatory and Corporate Affairs Division Officer, responding to The Guardian enquiries, said: “The legal action is considered necessary to prevent the use of the Visafone’s 800MHz spectrum by MTN at this time, as it will entrench the dominance of MTN in the retail data services market.
“You will recall that MTN Nigeria was declared dominant by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in 2013 and remains dominant in the wholesale leased line and retail voice markets.
“The use of the 800MHz spectrum to deploy broadband services ahead of its competitors, particularly those who, prior to MTNs purchase of Visafone, held similar spectrum bands as MTN, will further entrench MTN’s dominance in the Nigerian telecommunications sector.
“We have in addition and in line with Section 86 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 engaged the NCC to understand the basis of its decision to approve the acquisition. As you are aware, the matter is already in court, as such, we are restrained from commenting further on the matter.”
MTN has not made any statement on this action yet.
