MTN, Airtel, Mafab qualify to bid for 3.5GHz 5G licences

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) confirmed Airtel Nigeria, MTN Nigeria and wholesaler Mafab Communications as the three qualifying bidders for its scheduled 3.5GHz spectrum auction.

Participants were required to pay an Intention to Bid Deposit (IBD) of 10% of the reserve price, which was set at US$197.4 million last month. CommsUpdate reports that the three firms have all paid their IBD and met the other criteria for approval. The auction is due to be held on 13th December 2021, with the available 3.5GHz spectrum suitable for 5G use.

Nigeria’s second-placed operator Globacom will not participate in the auction. Newcomer Mafab currently supplies local interconnect (IX) and international carrier services, offering these to both domestic and international operators. Licences are valid for 10 years, with winners obliged to meet coverage targets laid out in the auction terms. Developing Telecoms