There are strong indications that the new management of hitherto Etisalat has approved a new name for the telecom company, and would henceforth be called 9Mobile.
The name change might be unconnected with the three weeks ultimatum given to Etisalat by the parent company in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates that withdraw from the company as a result of Etisalat indebtedness to a consortium of local banks in Nigeria.
Though no official statement from the new management of Etisalat, Chain Reactions, the Telco Public Relations consultant confirmed the development, saying Etisalat hope to make a public announcement soon.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Communications Commission, the country’s telecom regulator has reacted saying it is yet to be briefed by Etisalat, but insists that there is a change of name, there are processes that must be taken by Etisalat.
According to Tony Ojobo, NCC’s spokesman, the processes include change of logo, color and a forum to announce the name change officially to its subscribers.