13/06/2023
Briclinks Africa Plc Acquires MVNO License, Eyeing Innovative Opportunities in the Telecom Space
Briclinks Africa Plc has announced the acquisition of a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) Tier 2 License, a move that will position the company to tap into the rapidly evolving and innovative MVNO market.
The license, granted by the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) on May 1, 2023, enables Briclinks Africa Plc to operate alongside established Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) such as MTN, AIRTEL, GLO, and 9MOBILE, leveraging their existing infrastructure. This is in line with a growing trend among MVNOs globally to focus on specific market segments and offer differentiated services based on the unique needs of these segments.
"Briclinks Africa Plc will now be able to better serve our shareholders and the general public by taking advantage of the innovative opportunities in the MVNO space," Olushola Oguntimehin, Company Secretary of Briclinks Africa Plc said in a press release.
The announcement also included a change of trade name for the company, from BRICNET to BTEL. This rebranding comes at a time when MVNOs worldwide are embracing innovation and transformation in response to increased competition and price pressures. Companies in the space are differentiating themselves based on their value proposition and cost structure, often through digital transformation initiatives that make them more flexible and customer-centric.
Briclinks Africa Plc is well-positioned to leverage new technologies like e-SIMs, Network Function Virtualization (NFV), Software Defined Networks (SDN), Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, blockchain, and edge computing. These technologies are expanding opportunities for MVNOs to offer innovative services and improve their operations.
The rollout of 5G also presents a significant opportunity. With 5G enabling network slicing, MVNOs can offer services tailored to specific verticals by bundling connectivity needs with cloud services and AI/big data solutions.
Briclinks Africa Plc's move into the MVNO sector also has potential societal benefits. By making mobile services more accessible, MVNOs can improve lives and societies, particularly through IoT-centric services that address global climate and environmental issues and enable connected agriculture, smarter transportation, improved healthcare, and smart cities.
With this acquisition of the MVNO license, Briclinks Africa Plc is poised to drive innovation in Nigeria's telecommunications sector, offering more choices and services to consumers and contributing to the Nigeria's digital economy.