MTN Ghana has secured two lots in the 700 MHz band after emerging as the successful applicant in the National Communications Authority’s (NCA) latest 5G spectrum licensing process, paying a total licence fee of US$100.9 million.
The NCA said Scancom Plc, which operates as MTN Ghana, was the sole qualified applicant for the 700 MHz band and applied for the maximum two lots permitted under the Request for Applications.
“The process for the 700 MHz band has been concluded, with Scancom Plc (MTN Ghana), the sole qualified applicant for the band, emerging as the successful applicant,” the NCA said in its latest update on the licensing process.
The award gives MTN additional spectrum capacity to expand its mobile broadband services, including 5G, as Ghana moves further into the rollout of next-generation connectivity.
While the award marks a major investment by Ghana’s largest mobile network operator, it also places renewed attention on how the NCA manages competition in a telecommunications market where MTN has previously been classified as having Significant Market Power.
The NCA declared MTN a Significant Market Power in 2020 after determining that the operator had a dominant position in the market. At the time, the Authority said MTN held approximately 58% of the voice market and 68% of the data market.
The classification was followed by regulatory measures to prevent the abuse of market power and create a level playing field for competing operators.
MTN’s latest spectrum award therefore raises the importance of ensuring that the additional spectrum translates into stronger competition and better services for consumers, rather than further entrenching what has previously been described by the regulator as significant market power.
The NCA will also need to keep a close eye on how MTN uses the additional spectrum, particularly on pricing, network access, service quality and the ability of smaller operators to compete.
The need for effective regulation also comes into focus as the NCA continues to implement measures under the Significant Market Power framework, including efforts to improve access to national roaming for competing operators.
The NCA has also demonstrated a willingness to adjust the regulatory structure around 5G where it considers competition and the public interest to require it.
As more spectrum enters the market, the effectiveness of the regulatory framework will be critical to ensuring that Ghana’s 5G expansion does not simply strengthen existing market concentration, but creates room for meaningful competition, greater consumer choice and continued investment across the industry.
The 700 MHz process is now concluded, while the licensing process for the 2.3 GHz and 3 GHz bands remains ongoing. The NCA said the 2.3 GHz band is under-subscribed, with four applications for five available lots, while the 3 GHz band is over-subscribed, with four applications for three available lots.
