9Mobile attributes network issues to fiber cuts, attributing customer loss
In the bustling city of Lagos, and across various towns in Nigeria, a growing number of mobile network users are switching providers, with 9Mobile being a notable example. Mercy Etim, a long-time customer from Ogbor Hill, Aba, Abia State, is among those who have recently made the move.
The reasons for this shift are not just anecdotal. Bolu Faramade, a resident of Ogun state, shares similar sentiments, citing service problems that extend beyond their respective cities. In response to these concerns, 9Mobile has yet to comment on the matter.
A 9Mobile employee confirmed that network service is available from Ikota down to Ikate, Lekki, but issues have been reported in other areas, including Addo Road, Badore, and down to Sangotedo, where fibre cuts are responsible for network blackouts.
These network problems are not unique to 9Mobile, as a senior telecom executive explained. Even networks with significant investments can still struggle with quality of service issues due to congestion in certain areas. In the case of 9Mobile, a decline in infrastructure investment has reportedly contributed to the quality of its network suffering.
From March 2022 to March 2024, over 1.1 million subscribers left 9Mobile, a significant loss in a highly competitive market. In stark contrast, market leader MTN Nigeria gained 6.6 million subscribers in the same period, highlighting the impact of these network issues on 9Mobile's subscriber base.
In July 2024, LightHouse Telecommunications acquired 9Mobile. However, the reputation of 9Mobile as the "sickman" of the telecoms industry remains, with customers like Adams Ojo, who visited a 9Mobile office in Ikota Shopping Complex, VGC area of Lagos due to mobile internet issues, expressing frustration over unresponsive customer care agents and long wait times.
The rainy season in Nigeria often causes network disruptions due to infrastructure and power supply issues, affecting telecommunications companies like 9Mobile. The competitive landscape, with other operators like MTN and Airtel, could also influence subscriber dynamics for 9Mobile.
For precise data on 9Mobile's subscriber base changes and specific reasons behind network issues, it would be necessary to consult reports or statements from 9Mobile or regulatory bodies in Nigeria. Network issues can lead to a decline in subscriber numbers as users may switch to competitors offering more reliable services.
- Technology advances have led to increased investment in the finance sector, potentially providing opportunities for businesses like telecommunications companies to improve their network services, such as addressing the quality of service issues reported in 9Mobile.
- In the face of general-news headlines about network issues affecting various mobile providers in Nigeria, consumers like Adams Ojo have decided to seek alternatives, with some opting for competitors like MTN, citing the need for a more reliable service on their mobile devices.
