MTN Ghana has been awarded a total of five spectrum lots in the 700 MHz and 3 GHz bands at a total cost of US$202 million for the rollout of 5G and expansion of mobile broadband nationwide.
In the 700 MHz band, MTN was awarded two of the three available lots, giving it 2 x 20 MHz of spectrum for a licence fee of USD 100.9 million. In the 3 GHz band, the company secured all three available lots, a combined 150 MHz block, for USD 101.1 million. Together, the licences represent an investment of USD 202 million.
The award follows the National Communications Authority’s (NCA) invitation to operators to apply for spectrum licences in the 700 MHz, 2.3 GHz and 3 GHz bands for the provision of 5G and mobile broadband. Each licence will run for 15 years.
MTN was excluded from bidding for lots in in the 2.3 GHz band because it has already acquired similar lots in the past.
Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, Stephen Blewett, said “This award marks an important milestone in our commitment to building the infrastructure that will transform Ghana’s digital landscape.”
The 700 MHz band will allow MTN Ghana to expand quality connectivity deeper into communities across the country, while the 3 GHz spectrum provides the capacity to deliver truly high-speed 5G where demand is greatest.
The CEO said, “Together, they (they two spectrum bands) allow us to serve more customers better, grow 5G mobility and bring reliable home internet to more Ghanaian households. We thank the National Communications Authority for this opportunity, and we look forward to deploying this spectrum to work for our customers.”
 Once the licences are issued, MTN Ghana will deploy the new spectrum alongside its existing holdings to strengthen network capacity, improve service quality and deliver a better experience for customers across the country.
The spectrum will be central to growing 5G mobile services and to the company’s ambitions in home broadband.
The company will keep customers, shareholders and the market informed as it advances the rollout of the new spectrum and its high-speed 5G services.
Meanwhile, all licenses in the recent spectrum auctions have been given 60 days to pay for the spectrum. So far, none of them has made any payments yet.
