As the Nigerian Communications Commission qualifies MTN Nigeria Plc, Airtel Networks Limited, and one new participant for its 5G auction, Globacom and Emerging Markets Telecommunication Service Limited are poised to lose out on the deployment of Fifth Generation networks for at least two years.
Only three eligible bids matched the NCC’s requirements for the licensing procedure for the 3.5 gigahertz spectrum, which is essential for 5G rollout, the NCC revealed on Thursday.
It was discovered that each of these three companies spent at least $19.74 million to qualify.
In a statement, the commission said, “The qualified bidders that have met the criteria for participation in the licensing process of 3.5Ghz spectrum, including payment of the stipulated Intention to Bid Deposit as outlined in the Information Memorandum, are MTN Nigeria Plc, Mafab Communications Limited, and Airtel Networks Limited.”
According to the document released by the Federal Government, “Applicants must transfer an IBD corresponding to a lot into the designated account in cleared funds not later than 17.00 hours West African Time on November 24, 2021.
“A bank guarantee, or similar instruments, will not be acceptable. This deposit will bind the applicant to take up a license, should it be a successful bidder, at the reserve price or any higher bid value submitted during the process.”
The IBD was set at 10% of the spectrum reserve price ($197.40 million) by the commission.
Glo and 9mobile did not submit any application to participate in the process, according to an NCC official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk on the subject.
The commission said, “At the close of the bid submission date of November 29, 2021, three companies, namely MTN Nigeria, Mafab Communications Limited, and Airtel Networks Limited had successfully submitted their bids in line with the requirements of the IM.”
According to the NCC, only the three businesses will take part in the main auction and the necessary simulated auction, which will take place in December 2021.
The commission had previously said in the IM that it would only be auctioning two parcels of 100 MHz TDD spectrum in the 3.5 GHz band, ranging from 3500 to 3600 MHz and 3700 to 3800 MHz.
This means that following the auction, only two of the three companies will be able to provide 5G services.
After most telecommunication companies questioned the commission for only putting two lots available for auction, the NCC said during a 5G stakeholder conference in Lagos that it will make three additional lots available for sale in 24 months.
Ada Peter
