The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has rejected the request of Airtel Nigeria to grant it administrative assignment of spectrum to provide services in the fifth generation (5G) in the country.
Making the request at the Stakeholders’ Engagement on the Draf Information Memorandum (IM) on the Auctioning of Additional 2 Slots of 100MHz in the 3.5GHz band, at Mariot Hotel, the operator argued that its participation in the last bid round in the 3.5GHz spectrum led to boosting the Federal Government’s revenue.
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It urged the Commission to grant it the licence without going through the process of auctioning. It argued that the companies that didn’t participate in the process last year should be made to go through the process.
The NCC however said it will only assign spectrum through open, transparent and competitive bidding.
The Commission reserved comments on the participation of MTN Nigeria which is the only 5G operator in the country.
Details shortly…