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Airtel Networks Limited has become the only bidder for Nigeria’s 3.5 GHz spectrum, leading the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to cancel the planned auction.
By the deadline of December 5, 2022, only Airtel and Standard Network & Connections Limited had shown interest in the auction. However, Airtel was the only company to meet all requirements, including the payment of the required deposit. Standard Network requested more time, but the NCC did not approve the extension.
As a result, Airtel has emerged as the sole bidder and will proceed to the next stage of the process. The NCC will now allocate the 100 MHz Lot of the 3.5 GHz spectrum to Airtel, for a fee of $273.6 million, or its equivalent in naira.
The 3.5 GHz spectrum is critical for the launch of 5G technology, which will improve mobile connectivity in Nigeria. Earlier in 2022, MTN Nigeria and Mafab Communications won the first 3.5 GHz spectrum to introduce 5G in the country, with MTN becoming the first operator in West Africa to roll out 5G.
5G technology is expected to bring faster internet speeds, reduced delays, and better data transfer. It will significantly enhance mobile experiences for millions of Nigerian users, with improvements in network efficiency, user throughput, and overall capacity.
With Airtel securing the licence, Nigeria is set to make major strides in 5G development, paving the way for advanced mobile services in the country.
