The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has denied Airtel Nigeria’s request for administrative assignment of spectrum to provide fifth-generation (5G) services in the country.
The operator made 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, held at the Mariot Hotel, claiming that its participation in the previous bid round in the 3.5GHz spectrum increased Federal Government revenue.
It requested that the Commission grant it the license without going through the auction process. The NCC, on the other hand, has stated that it will only assign spectrum through open, transparent, and competitive bidding.
The Commission has reserved its comments on MTN Nigeria’s participation, as the country’s sole 5G operator.
