The National Communications Authority (NCA) has issued a Notice of Proposed Licence Amendment to Next-Gen Infraco (NGIC) informing them of an amendment to their license to remove their exclusive right to 5G rollout in Ghana over the next ten years.
A statement from the NCA said this move is in pursuit of Section 14 of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775).
In 2024, NGIC was granted license in Ghana to roll out and run a shared 5G network exclusively for ten years, ending 2034. This meant, for the ten year period, no one can run a 5G network outside of NGIC and every operator seeking to offer 5G service must go through NGIC.
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But the NCA said “the proposed amendment will remove the 5G exclusivity clause contained in NGIC’s licence.”
It said the NCA considers its action to be in the public interest, with a number of objectives – to promote competition and innovation in the provision of 5G services; enhance consumer choice and service quality; accelerate nationwide digital transformation; and ensure optimal and efficient use of spectrum as a national resource.
The statement said, in accordance with Section 14 of Act 775, the proposed amendment will take effect ninety (90) days from the date of the notice, unless otherwise determined after consideration of any representations made by the licensee within the statutory notice period.
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The NCA also used the opportunity to assure the general public that the proposed amendment follows due process and is consistent with the Authority’s mandate to regulate communications services in a manner that safeguards the national interest.
In a related development, NGIC has installed forty-nine (49) 5G sites across the country distributed as follows:
- Greater Accra Region – 43 sites
- Ashanti Region – 2 sites
- Western Region – 1 site
- Northern Region – 1 site
- Bono Region – 1 site
- Central Region – 1 site
The NCA noted that the NGIC is in default of its licence fee instalment payment under the Schedule of Licence Fee Payments forming part of its licence conditions. The Authority is addressing this matter in accordance with the applicable licence conditions and statutory provisions.
The NCA says it remains committed to transparent, fair, and predictable regulation to ensure sustainable investment, competition, and growth in Ghana’s communications sector.
