The Nigerian Communications Commission ( NCC( has announced that Airtel Africa emerged as the sole bidder for a 5G high-speed spectrum licence in Nigeria’s second round of licensing after another company failed to pay a deposit to continue with the auction, the regulator said on Wednesday.
In December, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) issued the country’s first 5G licences to MTN Nigeria (MTNN.LG) and Mafab Communications last year after the companies each paid $273.6 million.
NCC said Standard Network & Connections Limited failed to pay the required “intention to bid deposit,” leaving Airtel the only bidder.
The regulator has set a reserve price of $273.6 million for the new 5G spectrum licence with a tenure of 10 years.
A statement signed by the NCC Director of Public Affairs says that by the close of business on Monday, December 5, 2022, only two companies expressed interest in the auction of the 3.5GHz Spectrum band, namely, Airtel Networks Limited (Airtel) and Standard Network & Connections Limited (Standard Network).
The statement added that “only Airtel paid the Intention to Bid Deposit (IBD) as stipulated in the Information Memorandum (IM) whereas Standard Network sent an email appeal for the deadline to be extended by twelve (12) working days which was not acceptable given the auction timetable.
“Having met all the provisions in the IM, Airtel has, therefore, emerged as the sole Bidder.
“Consequently, there shall be no further bidding, and the Commission will proceed to the Assignment Stage in line with the published Information Memorandum guiding the licensing process.”, Muoka added.
