T2mobile (9Mobile) has the best rural network performance in Q4’25

T2mobile (formerly 9mobile) has recorded the best network performance in rural areas with a download speed of 24.9 Mbps. This is according to the latest industry data by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and OOKLA.

The telco exhibited a turnaround by showing a strong network performance in download speed. According to the report, T2mobile is followed by MTN Nigeria at 15.8 Mbps.  

In fact, T2mobile’s strength lies in localised areas, especially in rural areas where it recorded an average speed of 24.9 Mbps. This is more than MTN’s download speed of 15.8 Mbps in rural areas, Airtel’s 10.6 Mbps and Globacom’s 9.5 Mbps.

T2mobile’s rising effort and performance

For T2mobile, the performance is a product of deliberate efforts to regain market share from competitors, focusing on bringing back subscribers through better service quality. 

In its recent effort to transform from a struggling network with significant user losses into a competitive yet customer-centric service provider, the telecom company has embarked on various partnerships since its rebirth from 9mobile to T2mobile.

First, it signed a multi-million dollar deal with Huawei to upgrade its network infrastructure. With the collaboration, T2mobile is banking on Huawei’s technology thus putting itself in a position to offer resilient services both in the short and long run. 

Then it entered a strategic spectrum lease agreement with MTN Nigeria. The partnership allowed T2mobile to lease MTN’s 5 MHz in the 900 MHz band and 15 MHz in the 1800 MHz band for a period of three years, effective from October 1, 2025.

Through the roaming deal, T2’s subscribers can use MTN’s infrastructure where coverage is weaker, ensuring more consistent connectivity across the country. While it boosts MTN’s network capacity and returns, T2mobile leverages on network reports considered the best mobile network operator in Nigeria.

Notably, the deals are starting to showcase the needed results for the telecoms operator.

For instance, the Q4 QoE data shows that T2mobile saw a high download peak in specific markets such as Anambra and Oyo, recording a performance of 82.3 Mbps and 80.0 Mbps, respectively. 

Surprisingly, aside from outperforming Globacom and Airtel in network performance in rural areas, the rebranded operators saw an 18.5 Mbps download speed, compared to Globacom’s 9.6 Mbps and Airtel Nigeria’s 15.9 Mbps.

On an overall user experience basis, MTN recorded significant strides, followed by T2mobile. A testament to the spectrum lease effects. MTN is the fastest for browsing with 65.9, while T2mobile follows with 50.0.

In terms of subscriber base, the operator holds a 1.8% market share at 3.18 million subscribers. Notably, between July (rebirth month) and November, the T2mobile gained a total of 460,644 subscribers.

T2mobile, by displaying strength in local areas, 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.

Also Read: Nigeria’s 5G network fails 55% of the time despite surge in smartphone readiness.

T2mobile’s penetration places rural network performance closer to urban

Rural areas in Nigeria are beginning to display conscious effort towards internet usage, attributed to increased smartphone adoption and financial inclusion. 

In its headline performance, overall download speed in rural areas now averages at 11.0 Mbps. A year ago, the rate stood at 8.5 Mbps. While the urban rate stood at 20.5 Mbps, the latest data revealed an improved performance and penetration of telecoms Infrastructure in rural areas.

The uptick isn’t a mystery. It is attributed to two significant developments.

One, the report explained that rural area network performance is boosted by rural towns situated along routes that connect urban cities experiencing high network speeds. Perhaps this shows that the digital divide might be closing in, with more rural areas getting closer to urban cities.

Through this advantage, cities like Ibadan, Benin City, Enugu, and Jos extend urban-standard connectivity into surrounding rural landscapes. 

Also, T2mobile is driving increased penetration in rural areas. This involves targeted infrastructural presence in markets outside urban locations. While urban networks are showing a stronger balance between download and upload speeds, rural areas are starting to catch up. 

Meanwhile, a 40% network gap persists. Rural upload speed still stood at 6.1 Mbps, revealing that digital activities, such as sending files and video calls, lag and fall below quality standards. 

The existing digital divide reflects historically lower network density and higher infrastructure deployment challenges. It calls for increased targeted upgrades to ensure more balanced network performance and national connectivity. 

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