MTN Ghana has been awarded two lots of spectrum in the 700 MHz band for a total licence fee of US$100.9 million, following the conclusion of the National Communications Authority’s (NCA) competitive allocation process for the band.
The allocation, announced by the NCA on Friday, September 11, forms part of the Authority’s broader programme to assign spectrum in the 700 MHz, 2.3 GHz, and 3 GHz bands to support mobile broadband services, including the deployment and expansion of 5G technology across Ghana .
The Award
Scancom Plc, the operator of MTN Ghana, emerged as the sole qualified and successful applicant for the 700 MHz band after the NCA opened and ranked the Best Price Offers submitted by qualified applicants at the NCA Tower on Friday .
“Scancom Plc applied for two lots, which is the maximum number that may be awarded to a single applicant under the RFA. The two lots yielded a total Licence Fee of US$100.9 million,” the NCA stated in its announcement .
The 700 MHz band, which was made available with three lots in total, has now been fully allocated following MTN’s successful bid. The band’s favourable propagation characteristics make it particularly valuable for wide-area coverage, including rural and underserved communities where higher-frequency bands struggle to reach .
Remaining Bands Still in Play
While the 700 MHz process has concluded, the allocation processes for the 2.3 GHz and 3 GHz bands remain ongoing, with contrasting demand dynamics in each.
In the 2.3 GHz band, four of the five available lots attracted applications from Ghana Telecommunications Company Limited (Telecel Ghana) and GoIP Telecommunications Ltd. The band is therefore under-subscribed, and the NCA will proceed to the next stage in accordance with the terms of the Request for Applications (RFA) .
Demand was notably higher in the 3 GHz band, where three lots were available but four applications were submitted by MTN Ghana and Telecel Ghana. The band is therefore over-subscribed, and the NCA said the process will continue in line with the applicable provisions of the RFA .
What This Means for Ghana’s 5G Rollout
The successful acquisition gives MTN Ghana additional spectrum resources in the 700 MHz band, which is widely regarded as a cornerstone for cost-effective 5G coverage. The lower frequency band allows signals to travel further and penetrate buildings more effectively than higher bands, reducing the infrastructure investment required to cover large areas .
The licensing exercise represents a significant step in Ghana’s efforts to make additional spectrum available as demand for high-speed connectivity continues to rise and operators prepare for expanded 5G services .
The NCA is expected to announce the final outcomes for the 2.3 GHz and 3 GHz bands after all remaining stages of the licensing process have been completed. Successful applicants for those bands will also be notified separately .
