•Regulator to consult widely on MTN’s desireIndeed, other operators and stakeholders, who were against MTN’s move, claimed such an opportunity could make the player a dominant service provider in the country, without consideration for the development of the telecoms industry.
Already, Nigeria planned four 5G licences. So far, two lots have been licensed with one currently functional. NCC hoped that by December, there would be additional two. Indeed, during the question and answer session, stakeholders and operators, who responded, claimed that handing MTN another 5G license would make them a dominant player and such would not make other players, especially Tier 2 operators, grow and compete well in the industry.
While assuring that there would be more consultations on the issue of MTN, NCC Executive commissioner, Technical Services, Ubale Maska, said the telco’s request isn’t the first in the telecommunications industry as there are precedents and Nigeria is an open market.Against the backdrop that the auction of new 5G license at this time is politically motivated and an avenue to generate more money for the Federal Government, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof.
MEANWHILE, request by Airtel Nigeria to be granted administrative assignment of spectrum to provide 5G services in the country, having participated in the last auction met a brick wall from the NCC.