“Cheap, strong and reliable connection,” Nigerians weigh their chances of switching to Swift Network

Swift Telephone Network Limited (STN) received a regulatory licence from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to operate as a mobile network operator in the league of leading operators such as MTN, Airtel, Globacom and T2mobile (9mobile).

According to information on the regulator’s portal, Swift Network received a 10-year licence (from Oct. 2026 to Sept. 2036) of Unified Access Service Licence (UASL) that falls under Section 32 of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003. With the approval, the operator can offer multiple services such as voice, data, and multimedia services, similar to the licence obtained by MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria and Globacom.

A NCC page showing Swift Telephone Network Limited’s Licence registration

The entry has now placed the operator in competition with the leading telecoms operators that control over 195 million Nigerian telecoms users. In addition, the entry comes after Lebara made its official entry into the industry as a virtual operator, coming three years after it received its licence.

Also read: Can NTEL’s new asset-light model help it survive Nigeria’s competitive telecoms market?

Rising competition: Nigerians state conditions for switch

For a while, the circle of mobile network operators have been a market characterised by few players, with four operators managing the affairs of providing voice and mobile data services to Nigerians.

Amid talk of the need for competition in the telecoms industry, subscribers have often clamoured for intensified competition, especially when they experience poor network quality, a drop in quality of experience and recent outcry over data depletion.

Swift Network is entering the space as a new competitor in a market heavily dominated by MTN Nigeria and Airtel Nigeria. As of July 2026, both operators account for nearly 87% of total telecom users, a number that reveals their longevity, infrastructural strength and presence in the industry.

Telecoms

Meanwhile, Nigerians might not be interested in these citations. Following the announcement of its entry, Nigerians on X have expressed their views on their chance of making a switch to Swift Network, provided it offers a better service than the current offers.

An X user, Mahmud, backed the operator, noting that it can gain presence since fintech giants were able to dominate commercial banks.

“Whatever it is Opay and Moniepoint have done in the banking sector, if they did something similar in the telecoms, they’ll carry the chunk of the users. Cheaper, strong, reliable connections,” he said.

Also, Tchigo noted that a stable network is all he needs to switch to Swift Network.

“If they can guarantee a stable network, then that’s a sign to switch; there’s no point in cheap data if the network is going to be half as messy as these other ones.”

For OJ, the answer is a direct one. “Cheap data and strong network, I will port immediately.”

Merged screenshots of Nigerians on X reactions

Another user, Abdlusahmad, had a mixed opinion.

“STN should try, but chances of superseding MTN & Airtel in Nigeria would be extremely low despite the incumbent’s service instability across various areas.”

However, Israel is of a different opinion as he weighs the infrastructure-oriented industry.

“Telecoms is a different sector entirely, and the realities there are way different from the financial sector. Telecoms are infrastructure-heavy, and what impacts service quality is more often than not beyond your control.”

For most Nigerians, big brands or customer base isn’t what counts, but what it offers and network reliability.

Swift Network in Nigeria

Swift Telephone Network Limited (STN) is not new in the telecom market; the company started operations in Nigeria in 1998 with a calling operation supporting the NUGA Games, later expanding to voicemail and digital landline services. It then secured its first operational telecommunications licences from the NCC in 2005.

While announcing the development on Thursday, CEO Oluwole Adetuyi noted that what makes the milestone more meaningful is STN’s journey. He noted that from its origins in telephony, the company has continued to adapt, evolve and build toward a broader telecommunications future.

“This UASL is not just a licence. It is a new chapter. It represents where we started, what we have endured, how we have evolved, and where we are going. We are building in Nigeria, for Nigeria,” he added.

Oluwole Adetuyi

Also speaking via his LinkedIn account, Victor Okorie, Business Development Manager of STN, noted that following the licence approval, “the next phase will require partnerships, innovation, execution and a strong commitment to building locally while connecting globally.”

He hinted at the next phase as engaging with businesses, technology companies, infrastructure providers, investors, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders across the industry.

Also read: Telecoms contribute ₦5.2 trillion to Nigeria’s real GDP in Q2 2026, its highest in two years.

Swift Network is faced with a huge hurdle to climb. Aside from competition, building nationwide cell towers, fibre-optic backhauls, and power solutions requires billions of naira in capital expenditure.

T2mobile (9mobile) and 90% of virtual operators, who were tipped as alternative operators, have struggled to maintain market share against the dominant player in the Nigerian telecom sector.