By Femi Anamelechi
The Nigerian Mobile Telecommunication. is set to witness a deep competition as a fresh mobile operator, Mafab Communications Limited, officially joins the ranks of telecom service providers in the country. This development is a fallout of the launching of a brand-new number range — 0724. Already the development has received commendations across the country from many people who see the launching of the new Mobile Telecommunication as a major challenge to the dominance of long-established operators like MTN, Glo, Airtel, and 9mobile.The launching of the new Mobile Telecommunication is coming almost three years after Mafab was issued a 5G licence by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in December 2021, alongside MTN Nigeria. While MTN quickly rolled out its 5G service to cities across the country, Mafab Communications remained silent, raising eyebrows and speculation over its operational readiness. Nigerians have begun to see and report the emergence of SIM cards bearing the 0724 number prefix, sparking renewed conversations across social media and tech industry.
Mafab’s entry into the highly competitive telecom market has setting the tone for an intensified competition for subscribers in Africa’s most populous nation. The mobile Communications company is operating under the brand Mcom and has activated its mobile service infrastructure and commenced offering telecommunications services — including voice, data, and SMS — with the new number range. The company’s entry into the market was further confirmed by the NCC, which listed 0724 as officially assigned to Mafab.The rollout has been lauded by many as one that will intensify the battle for market share among telecom giants, especially at a time when Nigerians are increasingly seeking better service quality, competitive data pricing, and efficient customer support as many subscribers feel current operators have not been very efficient Mafab, which had previously attracted attention for missing the initial rollout deadline of its 5G licence, now seems ready to take its place on the national stage. While the operations kick off, many have arguably pointed out that its success will largely depend on how well it can scale its infrastructure, build a reliable network, and present value-driven alternatives to the existing big players.
The new Mobile Telecommunications 5G licence was originally awarded in 2021, with an expectation that rollout would have fully commence by August 2022. However, while MTN adhered to this timeline and deployed its 5G across major cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, Mafab requested and was granted an extension of time, which it have finally taken advantage of by the recent launch.it is expected that the launch of the 0724 will not just deepen competition, but will at the same time further enhance the much-needed innovation in the telecom sector, which has become a sad story saddled with complaints of call drops, high tariffs, poor internet service, and arbitrary deductions. For millions of Nigerian subscribers. The entry of a new operator offers a glimmer of hope for improved services and competitive pricing. NCC as the regulatory Agency has maintained that the liberalization of the telecom industry remains a priority, stating that the introduction of more operators like Mafab would lead to improved service delivery, job creation, and enhanced digital inclusion for Nigerians.Nigerians have began to react to the development online, with many many expressing curiosity and excitement over the new number.For Some it as an opportunity to escape from their current network frustrations, while others await the clarity on the kind of services Mafab will offer, and whether it will truly rival the established networks in capacity and reach.Mafab Communications has a long way to go in proving its mettle in the saturated Nigerian telecom market. As Nigerian expect nothing less than More effective and efficient service delivery With Mafab Communications SIMs 0724 now in circulation and gaining traction, the race has officially kicked off
