The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has qualified MTN Nigeria Plc, Airtel Networks Limited for its 5G auction, leaving out Glo.
According to the telco regulatory agency, Glo was left out because it didn’t meet its criteria for the licensing process for the 3.5 gigahertz spectrum which is required for 5G deployment.
NCC, in a statement, said only three qualified bidders met its criteria, and they paid at least $19.74 million each in order to qualify.
“The qualified bidders that have met the criteria for participation in the licensing process of 3.5Ghz spectrum, including payment of the stipulated Intention to Bid Deposit as outlined in the Information Memorandum, are MTN Nigeria Plc, Mafab Communications Limited, and Airtel Networks Limited,” the statement read partly.
According to the document released by the Federal Government, “Applicants must transfer an IBD corresponding to a lot into the designated account in cleared funds not later than 17.00 hours West African Time on November 24, 2021.
“A bank guarantee, or similar instruments, will not be acceptable. This deposit will bind the applicant to take up a licence, should it be a successful bidder, at the reserve price or any higher bid value submitted during the process.”
The commission pegged the IBD at 10 percent of the reserve price for the spectrum ($197.40 million).
NCC official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter said Glo and 9mobile did not submit any application to partake in the process.
The commission said, “At the close of the bid submission date of November 29, 2021, three companies, namely MTN Nigeria, Mafab Communications Limited, and Airtel Networks Limited had successfully submitted their bids in line with the requirements of the IM.”
According to the NCC, only the three companies would participate in the main auction as well as in the mandatory mock auction process set to hold in December 2021.
In the IM, the commission had earlier disclosed that it was only offering two lots of 100 MHz TDD Spectrum in the 3.5 GHz band ranging from 3500 – 3600 MHz and 3700 – 3800 MHz for auction.
This implies only two of the three companies would emerge with the capability to offer 5G services after the auction.
