The telecom operator has signed a multi-million-dollar deal with Huawei to completely rebuild its network infrastructure from scratch.
This partnership represents T2mobile’s most serious attempt to compete with Nigeria’s telecom giants MTN, Airtel, and Globacom. The Chinese tech giant will overhaul the operator’s core network to boost capacity, reliability, and coverage across the country.
CEO Obafemi Banigbe calls the agreement more than just a business deal. “This is a catalyst. We’re not just upgrading our network; we’re future-proofing it.” he said at the Lagos signing ceremony.
Huawei Takes On Complete Network Reconstruction
The partnership goes far beyond routine equipment upgrades. Huawei will rebuild T2mobile’s entire core infrastructure to modern standards. This includes new base stations, fiber connections, data centers, and network management systems.
Jiang Junyong, CEO of Huawei Nigeria Carrier Business, promises world-class solutions. “We’re bringing cutting-edge technology to help T2 build a resilient, high-performance network that supports next-generation services,” he explained.
The project timeline spans several months, with phased rollouts planned across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. T2mobile expects the upgrades to deliver expanded coverage and dramatically improved service quality.
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Four-Phase Strategy Targets Market Recovery
T2mobile built its comeback plan around four distinct phases: stabilization, modernization, transformation, and growth. The Huawei partnership directly addresses the modernization phase.
Phase one focused on stopping subscriber losses through the MTN roaming agreement. Phase two brings the Huawei infrastructure overhaul. Phases three and four will introduce new services and expand market share.
Industry sources estimate T2mobile needs over $3 billion in total investment to compete effectively. The Huawei deal represents a significant portion of this required funding.
Banigbe credits new owner Lighthouse Telecoms with providing the financial backing needed for this ambitious infrastructure program.
Network Quality Issues Drive Partnership Decision
T2mobile’s decision to partner with Huawei stems from years of network problems. The operator suffered frequent outages, slow data speeds, and poor call quality that drove customers to competitors.
Recent data shows T2mobile experienced 63 major network outages between January and May 2025, more than any other Nigerian operator. These disruptions lasted hours or even days, frustrating subscribers who depend on reliable connectivity.
The company’s current network covers less than 60% of Nigeria’s landmass effectively. Rural areas particularly suffer from weak signals and dropped calls. Urban coverage also has significant gaps compared to larger competitors.
Huawei’s involvement should fix these fundamental infrastructure problems. The Chinese company has successfully upgraded telecom networks across Africa, bringing similar operators up to international standards.
Technology Upgrade Promises 5G Readiness
The Huawei partnership positions T2mobile for eventual 5G deployment. While the initial focus remains on improving 4G coverage, the new infrastructure can support next-generation wireless technology.
MTN and Airtel already launched 5G services in major Nigerian cities after paying over $820 million for spectrum licenses. T2mobile lacks the financial resources to compete in 5G immediately but wants network readiness.
The modernized infrastructure will also support Internet of Things devices, smart city applications, and enterprise solutions. These advanced services could help T2mobile differentiate from basic voice and data offerings.
Cloud-native network architecture forms another key component of the upgrade. This approach allows faster service deployment and more efficient resource management compared to traditional telecom infrastructure.
Huawei’s Africa Experience Benefits Partnership
Huawei brings extensive African telecom experience to the T2mobile partnership. The Chinese company has upgraded networks for operators across Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, and other markets.
Similar partnerships helped transform struggling African telecom companies into competitive players. Huawei’s technology expertise combined with local market knowledge creates a proven formula for network modernization.
The company’s end-to-end solutions cover everything from radio equipment to core network software. This comprehensive approach should accelerate T2mobile’s infrastructure overhaul compared to working with multiple vendors.
Huawei also provides ongoing technical support and training for local engineers. This knowledge transfer helps operators maintain and optimize their networks independently over time.
