By Izunna Okafor, Awka
A new wave of competition has hit Nigeria’s telecommunications space, as a fresh mobile operator, Mafab Communications Limited, officially joins the ranks of telecom service providers in the country, launching with a brand-new number range — 0724 — a development seen by many as a major challenge to the dominance of long-established operators like MTN, Glo, Airtel, and 9mobile.
This is coming barely 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. However that silence has now been broken.
Given the rollout, 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 platforms. This not only confirms Mafab’s entry into the highly competitive telecom market but also sets the tone for an intensified competition for subscribers in Africa’s most populous nation.
According to reports, Mafab Communications, operating under the brand Mcom, 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 — areas where many subscribers feel current operators still fall short.
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 opined 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.
Recall that the original 5G licence was 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.
This reporter, Izunna Okafor, gathered that the launch of the 0724 number range is expected to bring not just competition, but also the much-needed innovation to the telecom sector, which has been plagued by 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.
On its part, the NCC 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.
Reactions have begun to trail the development online, with many Nigerians expressing curiosity and excitement over the new number. Some see 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.
As it stands, Mafab Communications has a long way to go in proving its mettle in the saturated Nigerian telecom market. But with its official SIMs now in circulation and the unique 0724 number range gradually gaining traction, the race has officially begun.
