Finally, Mafab/MCom 5G data plans and routers are available, and competitive

It took forever, but MCom 5G data plans and routers are now available to the public, with coverage in 6 states.

A part of me was hoping that Mafab/MCom would not give Smile and ntel all over again. Do you remember when those 4G services were launched, with mobile users expecting competitive tariffs and prices, but were disappointed? Thankfully, history is not repeating itself here.

After over two years of waiting, subscribers can now purchase and use MCom 5G data plans and routers. The router plans all cost ₦50,000 each and give you 140GB of data for a month. The routers come with a 5G SIM card in them.

Once you are done with your initial month’s usage, you have to purchase one of the available data plans, and it is at that point that it hits you. The smallest MCom 5G data plan costs ₦350 and gives you 500MB of data. The most voluminous gives you 140GB of data for 30 days at the cost of ₦20,000.

In comparison, you can buy 120GB of data for a month, for ₦20,000 on Airtel Nigeria. So, Mcom’s offer isn’t bad at all.

Most mobile data subscribers in Nigeria do not have a data budget that exceeds ₦5,000 monthly, so let’s see who has a better offer at that price point.

• MCom 5G: 25GB of data
• Airtel: 18GB of data, plus 4GB bonus.

MTN has complicated data plans for its subscribers by removing almost all the pure data packages and replacing them with data + voice combos, so there is no fair data plan to compare with here. Oh, and honestly, I do not like how it seems MTN is forcing data + voice combos down our throats. I have never purchased one and I don’t intend to.

If you have ₦1,200 to spend on mobile data, you will get 2GB data from MCom and only 1.5GB from Airtel. So, at the low end, you get more value from MCom 5G data plans. I am wondering, though, how many people who can afford only ₦1,500 monthly for data have ₦50,000 to spend on a router, not to mention a 5G smartphone that starts from ₦150,000.

I think we should throw the low-end comparison here out the window. It doesn’t make sense for router-based services, except as top-ups for when a subscriber is low on funds but needs to use the Internet urgently.

There is nothing on MCom’s website that indicates that they are selling 5G SIM cards, and that is understandable. Being a standalone 5G network, MCom SIM cards will have limited compatibility. Why? Not all 5G smartphones support standalone networks. Let me explain.

MTN 5G and Airtel 5G networks are non-standalone. This means they are dependent on a foundation of 4G technology. This allows for greater compatibility with more 5Gbphones, and this is why you didn’t need to go upgrade your 4G SIM card to get access to 5G on MTN and Airtel. When they switched 5G on, your 4G SIM card just worked with those 5G networks. Remember? That’s because they are non-standalone 5G networks. NSA 5G for short.

MCom runs a standalone 5G network. This is what some call true 5G, because it does not rely on 4G infrastructure or technology. In theory, it should deliver faster speeds than non-standalone 5G networks do. In reality, the MCom 5G speed tests I have seen have clocked below 1Gbps.

This is about the same speeds as what the 5G networks of MTN and Airtel delivered at launch. As more subscribers got on those networks, actual usage speeds dropped. And I can guarantee you that actual usage speeds for MCom will drop, too, as more users jump on it. That’s how it always is, the world over. So, the current MCom 5G speeds, while better than what you will get now on MTN and Airtel, are not special. The law of diminishing returns will kick in too – unless they do not get lots of subscribers.

If you are interested in digging more into the subject, Understanding standalone and non-standalone 5G is a great article to read.

MCom 5G coverage in Lagos

According to the information on their website, MCom currently has coverage in six locations in Lagos: Saka Tinubu, Ikoyi, Alausa (including Ikeja City Mall), Surulere, Adeola Odeku, and Oregun.

Outside of Lagos, they also have coverage in Abuja FCT, Enugu, Kaduna, Kano, and Rivers.

Coverage in Abuja FCT

Current FCT locations include Mabushi, Rockview Wuse, Zone 4 Wuse, and Wuse 2.

Coverage in Enugu

From now, only Trans-Ekulu is covered in Enugu State.

Coverage in Rivers

If you are located in Garrison in Rivers State, you are covered

Coverage in Kaduna

In Kaduna, only Kakuri is covered for now.

Coverage in Kano

If you are located in Sabon Gari or Fagge on Kano, MCom 5G has got you covered.

That’s All I have for you now about MCom 5G data plans, routers, and service. I will be sure to share more information as I have it. Don’t forget to subscribe to our email newsletter, using the form below, so you do not miss important updates like this one.

Author: Mister Mobility

Master storyteller and founder of Mobility Nigeria, Mister Mobility, has used and reviewed hundreds of mobile phones since 2001.