Glo, 9mobile missing, as MTN, Airtel submit bids for 5G network

The Nigerian Communications Commission has qualified MTN Nigeria PLC, Airtel Networks Limited, and Mafab Communications Limited to deploy Fifth Generation (5G) network in the country.

Globacom and Emerging Markets Telecommunication Service Limited are set to miss out on the deployment, however.

Media reports have it that Globacom and Emerging Markets would miss out of the deployment at least two years.

Only MTN Nigeria PLC, Airtel Networks Limited, and Mafab Communications met the NCC’s criteria for the licensing process for the 3.5 gigahertz spectrum which is required for 5G deployment, the commission said.

These three companies paid at least $19.74m each in order to qualify, sources say.

Gathered reports show that Glo and 9mobile did not submit any application to partake in the process.

A mandatory mock auction is set to hold in December 2021. Only the three qualified companies would participate in the main auction.

The NCC had disclosed earlier that it was only offering two lots of 100 MHz TDD Spectrum in the 3.5 GHz band ranging from 3500 – 3600 MHz and 3700 – 3800 MHz for auction.

This implies that one of the three the three companies would not emerge with capability to offer 5G services after the auction.

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