National Communications Authority (NCA) has stated that after the auction of spectrum for the rollout of 5G in Ghana, it will rationalize the spectrum lots in the 3GHz band to ensure that each licensing maintains a contiguous that will prevent interference and guarantee quality of service.
This is contained in the request for applications (RFA) for spectrum lots in three bands – 700MHz, 2.3 GHz and 3 GHz for the rollout of 5G networks in Ghana. In total, there are 11 lots to be auctioned under the three bands.Â
But currently, the only wholesale 5G licensee, Next Gen Infraco (NGIC) already have 200MHz spectrum lots in the 3 GHz band. In fact they actually have a mid-band slot that stands at 3.5 MHz all the way to 3.6 GHz. What the NCA wants to put on auction are three 50 MHz lots, comprising of two, which fall between 3.3 and 3.4, and another one between 3.6 and 3.65 MHz.
NCA however noted that, once all the lots are sold, it will embark on a spectrum rationalization process to ensure that in case one player buys a spectrum lot between 3.3 and 3.4 MHz and also the one between 3.6 and 3.65MHz, the allocations are rearranged such that, each player’s spectrum lots are contiguous (close to each) to prevent interference.
So, in the face of such a scenario, NGIC will be required to either forfeit its 3.5 to 3.55 MHz lot for the 3.6 to 3.65 MHz in addition to the 3.55 to 3.6 MHz lot, or rather forfeit the 3.55 to 3.6 MHz for the 3.45 to 3.5 in addition to the closer one.
Below is the full details of NCA’s explanation to Techfocus24 of how the spectrum rationalization will be done if it becomes necessary.
Following the conclusion of the bidding and award process, the Authority may undertake a process of spectrum rationalisation or realignment in the 3 GHz mid-band — including the existing assignments in the 3.4–3.6 GHz sub-band — with a view to consolidating each Licensee’s holding into a single contiguous block of spectrum.
This need arises directly from the position of the lots on offer. The 3 GHz lots available under this RFA sit at the two ends of NGIC’s existing 200 MHz assignment. Awarding them as they stand would leave holdings in the band fragmented. Rationalisation, however, allows each Licensee’s spectrum to be consolidated into a contiguous block, which is more spectrally efficient: contiguous spectrum supports wider channel bandwidths, stronger 5G performance, and reduced guard-band waste.
The provision is entity-neutral, applying to all affected Licensees holding assignments in the sub-band, and carries two firm safeguards. Any rationalisation will be undertaken in consultation with the affected Licensees, and it will not result in any net reduction in the amount of spectrum awarded under this RFA. In practice, therefore, a realignment changes where an operator’s spectrum sits within the band — not how much spectrum it holds.
Spectrum rationalisation is an established part of the Authority’s regulatory practice.
In 2025 the Authority undertook a similar exercise in respect of the 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz and 2600 MHz bands, having first issued a public consultation (dated 6 May 2025) inviting views from operators, industry and the general public before publishing the rationalised band arrangements. The proposed 3 GHz realignment would follow the same well-established, consultative approach.
Eligibility Restriction — 2.6 GHz Holders and the 2.3 GHz Band
Query: The question is who the restriction barring 2.6 GHz holders from applying for 2.3 GHz spectrum is directed at — whether it refers to particular operators.
Entities that already hold a spectrum assignment in the 2.6 GHz band in Ghana — whether directly or through an affiliate, subsidiary, parent or related undertaking — are not eligible to apply for spectrum in the 2.3 GHz band under this RFA.
The restriction is framed by reference to existing spectrum holdings, not by reference to any named company, so that it applies objectively to whichever entity holds that band. Its purpose is to broaden access to mid-band capacity spectrum, rather than allowing further capacity to concentrate with holders that already possess adjacent mid-band spectrum.
3. Number of 3 GHz Mid-Band Lots
Query: Noting that there is no cap on the number of 3 GHz lots an applicant may win, the question is whether a single well-resourced entity could acquire all of them, and what that would mean for the market.
There is no restriction on the number of 3 GHz mid-band lots an applicant may apply for or be awarded under this RFA. This structure is deliberate, and must be understood in the context of the band’s existing distribution.
Next Gen InfraCo (NGIC) — the carrier-neutral, wholesale open-access operator established to provide nationwide 4G and 5G services to all operators — already holds 200 MHz in the 3.5 GHz (3 GHz mid-band) range, together with 40 MHz at 2.6 GHz and 2 × 10 MHz at 2100 MHz. A substantial portion of the mid-band is therefore already assigned to the neutral wholesale layer of the market.
The lots offered under this RFA represent the remaining mid-band capacity. Leaving the number of lots uncapped enables other licensed operators to acquire meaningful, competitively-scaled blocks of spectrum, rather than being confined to fragments. Given the starting distribution of the band, an open structure of this kind supports — rather than undermines — the Authority’s objective of broadening competitive access to mid-band spectrum, allowing challenger operators to reach the scale required to compete effectively.
