Unlike competitors, Glo prioritises tower ownership over leasing

Key takeaways

  • Glo is the only Nigerian mobile operator that prioritises tower ownership.
  • It owns 8,550 towers, far exceeding its competitors combined.
  • MTN, 9mobile, and Airtel own 286, 86, and 61 towers, respectively.
  • Most operators lease towers from third-party providers like IHS Towers and American Tower Corporation, while Glo prefers to control its infrastructure.

Glo’s 8,550 towers make it the dominant player in mobile infrastructure ownership among Nigerian network operators. In contrast, MTN, Airtel, and 9mobile rely heavily on leasing rather than ownership. While Glo’s approach offers greater control, it also means higher capital and operational expenses compared to competitors that outsource tower management.

Source:

Nigerian Communications Commission

Period:

2023
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