By Issah Olegor
MTN Ghana is preparing to commence the rollout of its 5G services after securing spectrum in the 700 MHz and 3 GHz bands from the National Communications Authority (NCA), in a major investment expected to strengthen high-speed connectivity across the country.
The telecom giant disclosed that the NCA has formally notified the company of the award of the spectrum following the regulator’s invitation for applications for licences in the 700 MHz, 2.3 GHz and 3 GHz mid-band frequencies for the provision of 5G and mobile broadband services.
The 700 MHz and 3 GHz spectrum licences are expected to cost MTN Ghana approximately US$202 million.
The company said it is currently completing the necessary formalities and payment obligations required to finalise the acquisition.
In a notice to investors and shareholders, MTN Ghana indicated that the licence payments have already been incorporated into the company’s equity free cash-flow outlook, suggesting that the investment has been factored into its financial planning
Following the issuance of the spectrum licences, MTN Ghana said it will combine the newly acquired spectrum with its existing spectrum holdings to increase network capacity, improve service quality and enhance the overall customer experience.
The company expects the additional spectrum to play a significant role in expanding 5G mobile services and advancing its ambitions for home connectivity in Ghana.
qMTN Ghana said the deployment forms part of its broader strategy to strengthen its telecommunications infrastructure as demand for faster and more reliable internet services continues to grow.
