By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
MTN, the first national mobile telephone operator off the block in August 2011, and the largest network in the country, has been granted a new 10-year licence by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The renewal covers Unified Access Service (UAS) licence and spectrum licence for wireless local loop in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz band.
The renewal is subject to licensing conditions, including additional amounts, all of which are under discussion, MTN said a statement reported by Vanguard.
Earlier licences obtained by MTN, which expired on August 31, were renewed for another 10 years, effective September 1.
MTN said the NCC acknowledged receipt of N71.6 billion for the spectrum licence and N374.6 million for UAS licence in settlement of invoices for the 10-year period until August 31, 2031.
“Renewing our licences for another ten years is very important to our business and enables us to continue to provide services to ensure the benefits of a modern connected life for our people,” MTN Nigeria Chief Executive Officer Karl Toriola said.
The NCC had announced on September 4 that renewal of licence for the South African mobile giant would wait until its application undergoing regulatory processes was approved.
The regulation was reacting to social media reports which claimed the government had renewed MTN Nigeria’s licence amid 20 years of mobile telephone service.
“MTN Nigeria, the nation’s largest mobile network operator (MNO), has secured regulatory approval of the renewal of its operating licence for another 10 years with effect from September 1, 2021,” MTN confirmed in its statement.