Telecom
NCC Sets Reserve Price for 5G Spectrum Auction @ $197.4m

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has set the reserve price for sale of Fifth Generation (5G) auction at $197.4 million for mobile network operators (MNOs).
According the 5G auction draft Information Memorandum (IM) released by the commission, the telecom regulator plans to hold the auction in December.
NCC said it may offer two lots of 100 Megahertz (MHz) each in the 3.5 Gigahertz (GHz) band ranging from 3500 to 3600 MHz and 3700 to 3800 MHz for auction for the 5G network deployment in the country as it is empowered by Section 121 of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.
In the 80-page Draft IM document on 3.5GHz Spectrum Auction uploaded by NCC, the Commission said that the Generic Reserve Price (GR) is the minimum price at which a Lot shall be sold.
NCC said this is the Reserve Price for one Lot of 100 MHz and has a value of $197,400,000.00 ($197.4m) or its equivalent in Naira at the prevailing Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) rates at the time of the auction. It stressed that each lot of 1 X 100 MHz represents one eligibility point.
The IM defines the process for the licensing of Spectrum in the 3.5 GHz band by the NCC. The Commission explained that the assignment process will comprise an auction to be held in Abuja, which is expected to take place during the week commencing December 13, 2021 and will be an Ascending Clock Auction with exit bids. Mock Auction is expected to hold first, December 6.
According to NCC, “the spectrum lot won by each bidder will be assigned on a nationwide basis covering all the states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).”
However, NCC said the IM is for information purposes only. It is not intended to form the sole basis of an investment decision and should not be considered as a recommendation by the Commission to any stakeholder to participate in the auction.
It stressed that independent assessment of the potential value of the assignment of the 3.5 GHz spectrum should be made as deemed necessary.
The Commission noted that the IM may be subject to update, modification and amendment. NCC, which said the spectrum is offered by the Commission on a technology neutral basis for provision of communications service, disclosed that it intends to adhere to International standards for roll-out of services on the band.
The document reminded that NCC has a subsisting policy on “use-it or lose-it” with respect to the use of assigned Spectrum. It explained that where a winner does not hold a Unified Access Service Licence (UASL) which is the operational licence for the frequency spectrum slated for auction, it will be issued at an additional fee of N374, 600,000.00 or at the subsisting licence fee at the time of the auction
Federal Government on Wednesday September 9, 2021, approved the deployment of the 5G in Nigeria.
Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, minister of Communications and Digital Economy, announced the approval after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja.
Following the approval, the Minister directed the NCC to commence immediate implementation of the 5G plan for the country.
According to Pantami, the roll-out of the 5G will be carried out in phases beginning with major cities in the country “where there is need for high quality broadband.”
The approval came after the government had addressed concerns about the health implications of the 5G network, stressing that “5G is expected to facilitate several emerging technologies, generate innovative use cases, spur significant socio-economic growth and create jobs.”
Telecom
NCC, REA Move to Power Telecoms with Renewable Energy

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Rural Electrification Agency (REA) have teamed up to develop an initiative that will reduce the $350 million annual spending on diesel by telecom operators in Nigeria.
According to a press statement by Nnenna Ukoha, acting had of Public Affairs, NCC, this collaboration will focus on deploying renewable energy solutions to support telecom infrastructure, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
To that end, the two agencies have inaugurated what they called NCC–REA Collaboration Committee, aimed at deploying renewable energy solutions to power telecom infrastructure across the country.
According to the State of Africa’s Infrastructure Report 2025 by the Africa Finance Corporation, telecom operators in Nigeria consume more than 40 million litres of diesel every month, costing them over $350 million annually.
The statement read, “The Nigerian Communications Commission has formally inaugurated the NCC–REA Collaboration Committee, marking a pivotal step towards advancing Nigeria’s digital and energy inclusion objectives by developing modalities for the deployment of renewable energy to support telecom infrastructure in Nigeria.”
The inauguration ceremony, held on Friday, at the NCC Headquarters in Abuja, was presided over by Dr Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman and chief executive officer, NCC.
Maida was joined by Abba Aliyu, managing director of the REA, along with senior executives and committee members from both organisations.
Speaking at the event, Maida described the collaboration as a timely and strategic alignment of national priorities.
He noted that bridging the connectivity and power gaps in rural areas remains critical for Nigeria’s growth and development.
He highlighted that the demand for digital services and connected communities creates an opportunity for renewable energy to play a crucial role.
Maida further emphasised that the partnership goes beyond infrastructure; it is aimed at driving inclusion, reducing inequalities, and fostering shared prosperity.
“Whether it is powering a base station or enabling a child to access digital learning, this partnership has the potential to transform realities and bring opportunity closer to the people.
“This initiative is about more than infrastructure, it is about driving inclusion, bridging inequalities and creating the conditions for shared prosperity,” he was quoted in the statement.
He also noted that the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to ensure no community is left behind in Nigeria’s energy and digital transformation.
Aliyu, representing REA, expressed confidence in the transformative potential of the collaboration.
“This partnership will unlock sustainable development opportunities for millions of Nigerians, especially those in areas lacking traditional infrastructure,” he said.
He further emphasised that the collaboration would address both energy and connectivity gaps, benefiting those who are currently underserved.
The newly established NCC-REA Collaboration Committee will work to co-develop and implement integrated solutions that leverage renewable energy to power telecom sites.
The statement noted that the committee will also focus on sharing geospatial data to improve planning, aligning funding frameworks, and tracking the socio-economic impact of the project through clear performance indicators.
Telecom
NCC Approves MTN, 9Mobile Roaming Collaboration Deal

MTN Nigeria Communications Plc has announced the execution of a national roaming agreement with Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services Limited (9Mobile), a move that signals a major milestone in Nigeria’s telecommunications landscape.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the industry’s regulatory authority, has approved the three-year deal, which allows 9Mobile subscribers to roam seamlessly on MTN Nigeria’s extensive network infrastructure across the country.
The agreement, effective immediately, will significantly enhance connectivity and user experience for 9Mobile customers, particularly in areas where its network coverage is limited.
By leveraging MTN’s expansive infrastructure, 9Mobile can now offer improved service reach and reliability, without duplicating capital-intensive investments in network deployment.
In a notice to the Nigerian Exchange Limited and the investing public, MTN Nigeria described the arrangement as a strategic collaboration that underscores its leadership in fostering innovation, industry cooperation, and operational efficiency.
The company emphasized that the initiative aligns with the NCC’s broader objective of promoting infrastructure sharing to improve telecommunications services nationwide.
“This agreement represents a significant step in our commitment to driving industry collaboration, improving customer experience, and supporting the NCC’s vision of a fully connected Nigeria,” said Karl Toriola, chief executive officer, MTN Nigeria.
“Delivering the scale required for telecommunications services in Nigeria requires strong collaboration between the private sector, public sector, and long-term investors. This agreement demonstrates what we can achieve when we collaborate, and we are delighted to announce it today after months of groundwork.”The national roaming deal enables subscribers from 9Mobile to access voice and data services through MTN’s network in areas where the former lacks adequate coverage.
This marks the first such large-scale, cross-network roaming arrangement between two major operators in Nigeria, setting a precedent for future cooperative efforts in the telecom industry.
MTN Nigeria highlighted that the agreement contributes to more effective use of telecommunications resources, reduces infrastructure duplication, and accelerates the expansion of mobile broadband access across underserved regions.
It also supports both operators’ sustainability objectives by maximizing existing investments and reducing the environmental impact of deploying overlapping network facilities.
“This strategic collaboration is yet another first in the country by MTN Nigeria and marks a significant milestone for the sustainability of the telecommunications industry,” the company stated.
“By enabling national roaming, MTN Nigeria is contributing to a more effective use of telecommunications resources and accelerating efforts to expand connectivity across the country.”
The agreement is expected to benefit not just subscribers and operators but also regulators and investors who have consistently advocated for policies that promote shared infrastructure and efficient capital utilization in Nigeria’s digital economy.
Uto Ukpanah, company secretary, MTN Nigeria, affirmed the company’s ongoing dedication to initiatives that create shared value.
“MTN remains committed to fostering innovation and partnerships that create sustainable value for all stakeholders while promoting digital and financial inclusion nationwide,” she noted.
With the successful rollout of this agreement, the telecoms industry is expected to see improved service delivery and expanded access to quality mobile services, especially in rural and semi-urban communities. The collaboration sets a benchmark for future inter-operator partnerships and reinforces the importance of regulatory support in advancing national connectivity goals.
Telecom
Don’t Visit Telecom Centers for Now — ALTON Warns of SIM Service Downtime

Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has announced a temporary disruption in SIM-related services across all mobile networks in the country.
The disruption, according to a statement on Wednesday, follows a directive from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), mandating mobile network operators (MNOs) to migrate to a new identity verification platform.
ALTON said the transition had triggered unforeseen technical challenges, affecting services such as SIM registration, replacement, and mobile number portability.
“While the new platform is intended to enhance the integrity and efficiency of identity management in Nigeria, unfortunately, the transition has temporarily impacted service delivery,” the association stated.
It added that MNOs would not be able to support SIM swaps, new activations, and related services until the issues are resolved.
ALTON noted that its members are working closely with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), NIMC, and other stakeholders to restore normalcy.
The association appealed for public understanding and urged subscribers to delay visits to service centers for SIM-related matters.
“We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and will continue to provide timely updates,” the statement read.
ALTON reaffirmed its commitment to delivering secure and quality telecommunications services to Nigerians.
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