Etisalat sues MTN over acquisition of Nigerian Visafone

Etisalat Nigeria, which is 40 percent-owned by Abu Dhabi’s Etisalat Group, has filed a legal action against rival MTN, challenging MTN’s use of the 800 megahertz (MHZ) spectrum following the acquisition of Visafone in January, according to media reports, citing a company statement.

"The use of the 800 MHz spectrum to deploy broadband services ahead of its competitors ... will further entrench MTN's dominance in the Nigerian telecommunications sector," the statement added.

Etisalat added that it was in contact with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the telecom market regulator, to understand the rationale behind MTN’s acquisition deal.

MTN operates 900 MHz and 1800 MHz frequency bands which were renewed by NCC in November, similar to frequencies operated by Etisalat and India's Airtel that use GSM technology.

Market leader MTN had 62.5 million customers at the same date, while Etisalat, the smallest of Nigeria's big four GSM operators, had 23.5 million.