Telecommunications operator Airtel Networks Limited has been named the sole bidder of the remaining 3.5GHz spectrum.
Explaining the circumstances that gave Airtel the status of sole bidder, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) informed 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).
According to a statement signed by Director, Public Affairs, NCC, Mr Reuben Mouka on Wednesday, with the title: “Status of the 3.5GHz Spectrum Auction”, the Commission pointed out that only Airtel paid the Intention to Bid Deposit (IBD) as stipulated in the Information Memorandum (IM).
On the other hand, NCC confirmed that Standard Network sent an email appeal for the deadline to be extended by twelve working days which was not acceptable in view of 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”, NCC emphasised.
Earlier, the Commission had held a stakeholders meeting where it spelt out the Information Memorandum, IM, on the availability of the spectrum lots and requested for bidders.
The Commission however said that since extension after deadline, for expression of interest was not supported by its guidelines, it turned down the request, leaving Airtel as the sole bidder.
NCC had early in November announced the availability of the remaining lots of 2 x 100MHz in the 3.5GHz spectrum band, necessary for the deployment of 5G services in the country.
In line with its participatory rule-making process for the communications sector, the commission decided to give stakeholders and interested parties an opportunity to review and comment on the Draft IM before the final document is published.
After the publication of the Information Memorandum, IM, which contained some of the observations of interested stakeholders, Airtel and one other operator indicated interest. But now, it appears only Airtel is in the race to have fulfilled all requirements while the other contender didn’t meet up.
It would be recalled that the first two lots auctioned on December 13 2021 were snatched by rival operators MTN and MAFAB at $273.6m while Airtel dropped out of the bidding at $270m.
The SmartPhone Network
Airtel Networks Limited is a leading telecommunications services provider with headquarters in Lagos, the commercial nerve-centre of Nigeria. The telco ranks amongst the top three mobile service providers in terms of subscribers with a customer base of more than 50 million as at December, 2019. The company’s product offerings include 2G, 3G and 4G wireless services, mobile commerce, Home Broadband and enterprise services.
Airtel Networks Limited is a subsidiary of Airtel Africa Plc, a Pan-African telecommunications company with operations in 14 countries across Africa.
Airtel Africa has the vision of providing affordable and innovative mobile services to all. Its product offerings include 2G, 3G and 4G wireless voice and data services and mobile commerce through ‘Airtel Money’.
About the Author
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
