Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has renewed and consequently extended the duration of MTN Nigeria’s operating spectrum in the 900MHz and 1800MHz frequency bands for five years for N18.8 billion ($94.2 million).
With this, MTN’s operating spectrum which was issued along with the Digital Mobile Licence (DML) in 2001 with an original expiry date of 31 August 2016 has now been extended to August 31, 2021.
The licence extension notification was conveyed in a letter dated, 2 November, 2015, by the acting Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umaru Dambatta.
According to the letter, “MTN will, however, be required to pay the $94,225,152.75 as spectrum fee for the five year extension period no later than 31 December 2015 and conditional upon MTN fulfilling all its regulatory obligations.
In February 2001, pursuant to one of the most transparent mobile licence auctions in the world, NCC issued Digital Mobile Licenses (DML) to three pioneer mobile operators.
The licences were bundled with spectrum in the 900MHz and 1800MHz frequency bands. MTN Nigeria paid $285 million for 15-year licence renewable afterwards. .
Among other authorisations, MTN also holds a Unified Access Licence (UASL) and a third generation (3G) spectrum licence through which it provides a full bouquet of digital services to its customers throughout Nigeria.
According to Akinwale Goodluck, corporate services executive of MTN, “We view this extension as a demonstration of confidence in MTN’s capacity to continue to provide ground-breaking and innovative services to its customers, and another milestone in the evolution of the Nigerian communications industry.”
-Leadership
