Scancom Plc, operator of MTN Ghana, has secured two lots of spectrum in the 700 MHz band for a total licence fee of US$109.9 million as Ghana advances the allocation of spectrum for mobile broadband services, including 5G.
The National Communications Authority (NCA) announced the development in a press release issued on Thursday, September 11, following the opening and ranking of Best Price Offers submitted by qualified applicants.
The exercise was conducted at the NCA Tower on Friday, September 11.
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MTN Ghana emerged as the sole qualified and successful applicant for the 700 MHz band, securing two lots, which is the maximum number of lots that can be awarded to a single applicant under the Request for Applications (RFA).
The two lots attracted a combined licence fee of US$109.9 million.
According to the NCA, the process for the 700 MHz band has now been concluded.
The NCA said the process for the 2.3 GHz band is still ongoing after the spectrum was under-subscribed.
Five lots were made available in the band, but only four applications were received.
The applicants were Ghana Telecommunications Company Limited, operating as Telecel Ghana, and GoAI Telecommunications Ltd.
The Authority said the next stage of the process for the 2.3 GHz band will therefore proceed in accordance with the RFA.
The 3 GHz band has attracted more demand, with four applications received for three available lots.
The applicants are Scancom Plc (MTN Ghana) and Ghana Telecommunications Company Limited (Telecel Ghana).
The NCA said demand for spectrum in the 3 GHz band exceeds the available supply, meaning the next stage of the process will also proceed in accordance with the RFA.
The Authority is expected to announce the outcome for both the 2.3 GHz and 3 GHz bands after all remaining steps in the licensing process have been completed.
Successful applicants in those bands will also be notified separately.
The latest development forms part of Ghana’s ongoing efforts to assign additional spectrum resources for mobile broadband services and support the expansion of advanced telecommunications technologies, including 5G.