The National Communications Authority (NCA) has opened applications for a total of eleven (11) lot in three different spectrum bands for 5G networks in Ghana, indicating that MTN Ghana will be required to buy the spectrum at a premium rate 40% higher than what other applicants will pay, because of MTN’s significant market power (SMP) status. Â
Per the request for application (RFA) document published by the NCA, the spectrum lots available for grabs are three (3) in the 700 MHz band, five (5) in the 2.3 GHz band and another three (3) in the 3 GHz mid band (3300 – 3400 MHz and 3600 – 3650 MHz), making a total of 11 lots.
According to the NCA, the spectrum lots in the said bands were identified as critical to the delivery of high-quality mobile broadband services across Ghana.
Each eligible applicant is required to pay a non-refundable application fee of GHS300,000 per lot in banker’s draft. But the price at which the various lots in each of the separate bands will be sold, is 40% less for all applicants compared to how much is will be sold to MTN Ghana.
The Table 5 below, as lifted from the NCA’s RFA document, indicates the regular prices of lots in each spectrum band, while Table 6, indicates that the price for lots in two bands for the SMP (MTN Ghana) is 40% higher than it is for the other applicants.
So, whereas a spectrum lot in the 700 MHz band goes for US$36 million for all applicants, MTN Ghana would have to pay US$50.4 million for, and for lot in the 3 GHz band, which is selling to for US$24 million, MTN will have to pay a premium rate of US$33.6 million.
According to the NCA, the premium rate is a competition safeguarding measure given MTN’s SMP status, adding, however, that it is limited to only two bands – the 700 MHz band and the 3 GHz mid band.
Additionally, MTN Ghana and the current only existing 5G wholesaler, Next Gen Infraco (NGIC), have been restricted from applying for lots in the 2.3 MHz band because each of them have lots in that band already. MTN acquired similar lots from Goldkey and Blue Telecoms, while NGIC got similar lots in 2024.
The RFA comes after the NCA cancelled the 10-year exclusivity right granted to Next Gen Infraco (NGIC) in 2024, to rollout a wholesale 5G network in Ghana.
NGIC had three years to meet specific licensing requirements, including rolling out at least 350 cell sites across the country. Two of those years have passed and the company has rolled out only 43 sites in three cities.
NCA therefore stated that the cancellation of NGIC’s monopoly was in the public interest because it sets the tone for the market to be opened up for competition and a speedy rollout of 5G to benefit the general public.
According to the NCA, entities eligible to apply include the telcos (MTN, Telecel and AT Ghana), Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs), Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) providers, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and 100% Ghanaian-owned new entrants. But each applicants must also meet the laid down eligibility criteria set out in Chapter 3 of the RFA document.
“Applicants shall possess Certificate of Incorporation and Company Regulations from the Office of the Registrar of Companies, Certificate of Registration from the Data Protection Commission, Ghana, as well as an up-to-date Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC) and the SSNIT Employer Registration/Clearance Certificate (where applicable). Copies of these certificates shall be submitted with the application,” it said.
All sealed applications, it said, are to be submitted to a tender box kept at the NCA Director-General’s Secretariat and addressed to the Director-General of NCA on or before 5:00 pm on August 6, 2026, following which the selection of Successful Applicants shall be finalised through the laid down Selection and Award procedure.
Licensing Period
Each spectrum licence awarded under this RFA shall be for a period of fifteen (15) years from the effective date of the licence, subject to compliance with the licence conditions and the applicable laws and regulations.
The NCA said it may consider applications for renewal in accordance with the prevailing renewal framework at the time.
Restrictions
According to the RFA, no single applicant, alone or together with its affiliates, subsidiaries, partners or shareholders, may apply for or be awarded more than two (2) lots in the 700 MHz band. Again no applicants can apply for more than three lots in the 2.3 MHz band. But there are no restrictions on how many lots one can apply for in the 3 GHz band.
Coverage Obligations
Each licensee shall, on or before 6 March 2027, provide outdoor mobile broadband coverage to at least seventy percent (70%) of the total population of Ghana, as measured against the 2021 Population and Housing Census published by the Ghana Statistical Service.
This coverage obligation is in line with the government visions to ensure that Ghana gets at least 70% percent 5G coverage by the time the country turns 70 on March 6 next year. Some critics say that vision is unattainable, but the government is confident it can be achieved.
