(Ecofin Agency) - Mobile operator MTN Nigeria despite its unresolved dispute with Nigerian Court over payment of $3.9bn fine has just acquired the CDMA operator Visafone Communications Ltd. The Nigerian subsidiary of the South African telecom group has indeed received final go from Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) to seal the deal. MTN Nigeria thus reinforces its presence in the Nigerian market.

By acquiring Visafone and most especially its 800 MHz spectrum, MTN Nigeria is now able to launch 4G which Nigerians have been longing for some time now. In a recently published release, MTN’s executive director, Amina Oyagbola, said the acquisition of Visafone was proof of MTN’s determination “to explore new ways to meet the growing needs of customers in terms of data, in respect to the group’s vision to lead these customers to a brand new digital world”.

A well-informed source cited by The Leadership said it was unlikely that MTN Nigeria keeps all of Visafone’s personnel as it might focus mainly on itstransmission team which is the most important. As for Visafone’s customers, they will be transferred to MTN. So far, no detail concerning the cost of the transaction was divulged.