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Telecom operator maintains users' connections across Third Mainland

Bridge Traffic in Nigeria: Maintaining Internet Connectivity for Commuters on the Heaviest-Used Span, the Third Mainland Bridge, Requires Telecommunications Engineering Expertise

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Keeping users connected on Third Mainland through the services of a specific telecom operator
Keeping users connected on Third Mainland through the services of a specific telecom operator

Telecom operator maintains users' connections across Third Mainland

Telecom Coverage Ensures Smooth Connectivity on Nigeria's Busy Third Mainland Bridge

In a bid to ensure optimal performance, MTN Nigeria has deployed a special dedicated network to cover the Third Mainland Bridge, the country's busiest commuting corridor. This network, which went live in July 2025, relies on distributed antenna systems (DAS) strategically placed at key intervals along the 11.8-kilometer bridge span [1][5].

Hidden within the utility ducts built into the bridge structure are electrical lines and fiber optic cables vital for sustaining robust connectivity amid heavy traffic and engineering constraints. Every section of the fibre network is tested for signal integrity before it goes live [2].

The dedicated network involves a series of small but powerful DAS, mounted across the bridge. These antennas are connected through the fiber optic infrastructure, allowing millions of commuters to stay connected despite heavy congestion and the extensive physical span of the bridge [1][5].

The daily crossing of between 117,000 and 133,000 vehicles presents unique challenges, but the DAS has been designed to address these challenges. By integrating the DAS with the wider MTN network, the system ensures clear phone calls, stable internet speeds, and uninterrupted mobile services even during traffic gridlocks [1][3].

The fiber optic infrastructure is installed above ground along the bridge, carefully engineered to avoid interference with the structural and traffic demands on the bridge [5]. At critical points, flexible loops and splice enclosures are installed, all weather-sealed to prevent damage. The installation of fibre cables on the Third Mainland Bridge involves detailed surveys, coordination with authorities, and working within narrow windows to avoid traffic disruption [4].

Technicians mount support brackets to the bridge structure, install protective conduits, and thread fibre cables through them. Fibre optic cables are typically laid through protective conduits mounted securely along the bridge's underside or attached to its side beams. To accommodate the natural movements of the bridge, engineers install flexible joints and leave extra slack in the cables [4].

The cost of maintaining a single telecom tower includes not just power and fuel, but also technical checks, repairs, and system upgrades, multiplied across a network of over 20,000 sites nationwide. This collaborative effort involves multiple partners for diesel fueling, physical infrastructure maintenance, active radio and transmission equipment management, and fibre network management [3].

In Yahaya Ibrahim's words, Chief Technical Officer of MTN Nigeria, there are sites providing coverage on the Third Mainland Bridge. The goal of operators like MTN is to ensure 100% connectivity for their customers [1]. In daily experience, mobile phones on the Third Mainland Bridge perform continuous "handovers" without losing connection.

By innovating with bridge-mounted fibre conduits, smart antenna placement, and continuous optimization, operators like MTN are building a communications backbone that can support Nigeria's ambitions for a digitally connected future.

References:

  1. This Day Live. (2025, July 1). MTN deploys dedicated network to cover Third Mainland Bridge. Retrieved from https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2025/07/01/mtn-deploys-dedicated-network-to-cover-third-mainland-bridge/
  2. Vanguard. (2025, July 1). MTN deploys dedicated network to cover Third Mainland Bridge. Retrieved from https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/07/mtn-deploys-dedicated-network-to-cover-third-mainland-bridge/
  3. New Telegraph. (2025, July 1). MTN deploys dedicated network to cover Third Mainland Bridge. Retrieved from https://www.newtelegraphng.com/2025/07/mtn-deploys-dedicated-network-to-cover-third-mainland-bridge/
  4. Guardian Nigeria. (2025, July 1). MTN deploys dedicated network to cover Third Mainland Bridge. Retrieved from https://guardian.ng/business-services/mtn-deploys-dedicated-network-to-cover-third-mainland-bridge/
  5. Premium Times. (2025, July 1). MTN deploys dedicated network to cover Third Mainland Bridge. Retrieved from https://www.premiumtimesng.com/business/telecoms/434041-mtn-deploys-dedicated-network-to-cover-third-mainland-bridge.html

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