MTN Nigeria has won the
frequency spectrum license for the 2.6GHz band as the sole bidder in the
auction exercise by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
MTN said the 10-year license
will guarantee superior performance for wireless networks, especially 4G LTE
services, including the roll-out of broadband internet services across the
country, starting in the major cities of Lagos and Abuja.
Although Nigeria is one of
28 African countries currently offering 4G LTE services, the rate of
penetration has been restricted to a few major cities.
But, with the acquisition of
the license at about N18.96 billion, MTN said in a statement on Wednesday that
its success was “a big boost to its plan to deliver global mobile broadband and
LTE 4G services to over 60 million customers in Nigeria”.
The company said it was also
planning to deploy FDD networks in addition to its existing WIMAX over TDD
networks, to ensure for greater consistency with existing 2G and 3G
deployments.
MTN Nigeria CEO, Ferdi
Moolman, said with the 2.6 GHz band, the company will roll out immediately to
provide the full range of LTE services to Nigerians, empowering Nigeria with
the latest mobile broadband technology.
The NCC has described the
spectrum as a significant trigger for a broadband revolution that would ensure
greater coverage, access, affordability and innovation for the customers.
“We are very pleased with
this development (award of the license) at this time, which is a further step
in the right direction for Nigeria,” Mr. Moolman said. “Indeed, MTN is fully
aligned and supports the NCC’s objective to deliver broadband services to
present and future generations of subscribers, in line with the National
Broadband Plan of 2013.”
“This license acquisition
further demonstrates MTN’s abiding faith in the future of Nigeria and the
resilience of the Nigerian economy. MTN continues to believe in Nigeria and we
have expressed this belief in the level of our investment, which currently
stands at approximately USD 15 billion and counting.”
He said MTN strongly
believed there was need for significant levels of investment in broadband
infrastructure and services to truly launch Nigeria into the information age.
In addition to aggressive
investment, he said MTN has also built the most extensive private fibre optics
superhighway in Africa and the Middle East, covering approximately 16,000
kilometres.
“Our subscribers, especially
those in clustered areas such as the major cities, can expect distinct
improvements in browsing speed, quality and experience, including fast access
to high definition video streaming, as well as conferencing and calling,
lag-free music streaming, and improved data uploads and downloads,” Mr. Moolman
said.
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