Telecoms company T2mobile (formerly 9Mobile) has signed a multi-million dollar deal with Huawei to upgrade its network infrastructure. The deal is part of the company’s rebranding process and quest to reclaim its place in the Nigerian telecoms industry.
During the signing ceremony in Lagos, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Obafemi Banigbe, noted that the deal represents a continuous step in growth. According to him, banking on Huawei’s technology put T2mobile in a position to offer resilient services both in the short and long run.
“This agreement is more than a contract; it is a catalyst. Huawei has been a trusted partner throughout our journey, and this next chapter reaffirms our shared commitment to innovation, reliability, and excellence. With Huawei by our side, we’re not just upgrading our network, we’re future-proofing it,” he explained.
Banigbe said that the core network upgrade is expected to be completed in the coming months. He added that the move represents the company’s commitment to resilience and proves to Nigerian subscribers that its services are worth trusting again.
The next couple of months will be significant for T2mobile’s rebranding story, as much might be expected from a company that has gone through a turbulent period of transition.
However, the partnership will see T2mobile tap into Huawei’s technological innovations for its network revamping and enhanced security. The Nigerian telecom company is poised to walk its way back to being a giant in mobile network operations and compete with the likes of MTN, Airtel and Globacom.
To reach its goal, T2mobile must be ready to provide quality network services for Nigerian subscribers. And since its transition from 9mobile, the company has been making pivotal moves in its revolutionary strategy.
The deal marks another strategic move by T2mobile following its recent partnership with MTN Nigeria.
Recall that both telecom companies recently signed a national roaming agreement that aims to redefine the country’s network connectivity. The deal, which was signed before T2mobile’s rebranding, allows its subscribers to access MTN’s extensive network infrastructure for calls, SMS, and data services in regions where 9mobile’s coverage is limited or unavailable.
By leveraging MTN’s infrastructure, T2mobile can expand its coverage at minimal cost, reducing capital expenditure and making the telecom sector more attractive to investors. It also speaks of how ready the company is to deliver a digital experience that truly meets Nigerian telecom subscribers’ demands.
Also Read: 9mobile rebrands in a bold move to stage a comeback and reclaim its place in Nigeria.
T2mobile: walking its way back
The milestone deal comes amid T2mobile’s first subscriber gain in two years. Data from the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) revealed that T2mobile saw a subscriber gain of 290,601 in July 2025, attributed to its rebranding and national roaming agreement with MTN Nigeria.
The data is also significant in the industry as T2mobile was the only major operator to register subscriber growth in July. Airtel lost approximately 2.4 million subscribers, MTN fell by 106,345, and Globacom saw 143,701 reduction of subscribers. Overall, total active mobile subscriptions dropped by 1.41% from 171.5 million in June to 169.1 million in July.
Of all four major Nigerian telecom operators, T2mobile still holds the smallest subscriber base with 2,727,594 as of July, representing a 1.61% market share. MTN still leads with 89,137,003 (52.70%), followed by Airtel with 56,523,790 (33.42%) and Globacom with 20,741,354 (12.26%).
As T2mobile continues to bank on various resurgence plans, subscribers will be aiming for a new era. However, consistent network downtime has affected the Nigerian telecom industry due to vandalism of telecom infrastructure and instances of fibre cuts. T2 is expected to also share in these challenges, provided the trend continues.
For instance, T2mobile announced on Thursday that it experienced a temporary service disruption that affected its data services. This comes after subscribers experienced long hours of disruption in voice and data connections. While normal services have been restored, the company is expected to stay ahead of network glitches if it aims to regain its lost position.
