Mtn Fined to Pay 18.96Billion after Gaining 2.6 GHz Broadband License
after Gaining 2.6 GHz Broadband License
MTN Nigeria has won the frequency spectrum
license for the 2.6GHz band as the sole
bidder in the auction exercise by the Nigerian
Communications Commission (NCC).
MTN
said the 10-year license will guarantee
superior performance for wireless networks,
especially 4G LTE services, including the roll-
out of broadband internet services across the
country, starting in the major cities of Lagos
and Abuja.
Although Nigeria is one of 28 African
countries currently offering 4G LTE services,
the rate of penetration has been restricted to
a few major cities. But, with the acquisition
of the license at about N18.96 billion, MTN
said in a statement on Wednesday that its
success was “ a big boost to its plan to
deliver global mobile broadband and LTE 4G
services to over 60 million customers in
Nigeria ”.
The company said it was also planning to
deploy FDD networks in addition to its
existing WIMAX over TDD networks, to ensure
for greater consistency with existing 2G and
3G deployments.
MTN Nigeria CEO, Ferdi
Moolman, said with the 2.6 GHz band, the
company will roll out immediately to provide
the full range of LTE services to Nigerians,
empowering Nigeria with the latest mobile
broadband technology.
The NCC has described the spectrum as a
significant trigger for a broadband revolution
that would ensure greater coverage, access,
affordability and innovation for the
customers.
“We are very pleased with this
development (award of the
license) at this time, which is a
further step in the right
direction for Nigeria,” Mr.
Moolman said. “Indeed, MTN is
fully aligned and supports the
NCC’s objective to deliver
broadband services to present
and future generations of
subscribers, in line with the
National Broadband Plan of
2013. ”
“This license acquisition further
demonstrates MTN’s abiding
faith in the future of Nigeria
and the resilience of the
Nigerian economy. MTN
continues to believe in Nigeria
and we have expressed this
belief in the level of our
investment, which currently
stands at approximately USD
15 billion and counting. ”
He said MTN strongly believed there was
need for significant levels of investment in
broadband infrastructure and services to truly
launch Nigeria into the information age.
In addition to aggressive investment, he said
MTN has also built the most extensive
private fibre optics superhighway in Africa
and the Middle East, covering approximately
16,000 kilometres.
“Our subscribers, especially those in clustered
areas such as the major cities, can expect
distinct improvements in browsing speed,
quality and experience, including fast access
to high definition video streaming, as well as
conferencing and calling, lag-free music
streaming, and improved data uploads and
downloads,” Mr. Moolman said.
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