MTN Ghana is preparing to commence the rollout of 5G services across the country after receiving notification from the National Communications Authority that it has been awarded spectrum in the 700 MHz and 3 GHz bands.
The development marks a significant advancement in Ghana’s ongoing transition towards expanded 5G connectivity, with MTN Ghana expected to deploy the newly acquired spectrum alongside its existing holdings to increase network capacity, improve service quality and enhance the experience of customers across the country.
The National Communications Authority issued the award following its invitation for telecommunications operators to apply for spectrum licences in the 700 MHz, 2.3 GHz and 3 GHz frequency bands for the provision of 5G and mobile broadband services.
MTN Ghana, which operates under Scancom PLC, has been awarded two lots in the 700 MHz band and three lots in the 3 GHz band. The combined licence fees for the two allocations amount to approximately US$202 million.
The 700 MHz allocation comprises two lots of 20 MHz each and carries a licence fee of US$100.9 million, while the 3 GHz allocation provides MTN Ghana with 150 MHz across three 50 MHz lots at a cost of US$101.1 million. The licences will have a duration of 15 years.
MTN Ghana has indicated that it is currently completing the necessary administrative requirements and payment obligations associated with the acquisition of the licences before the new spectrum can be formally deployed.
In a notification to shareholders and investors, the company stated that the licence payments had already been incorporated into its equity free cash flow outlook, indicating that the substantial investment has been factored into its financial planning.
Following the formal issuance of the spectrum licences, MTN Ghana intends to combine the newly awarded frequencies with its existing spectrum resources as it strengthens its telecommunications infrastructure and expands the capacity available to customers.
The company said the additional spectrum would enable it to improve network capacity, enhance the quality of its services and provide a better customer experience throughout Ghana.
The investment is also expected to support MTN Ghana’s ambitions to expand 5G mobility and increase high speed connectivity within homes across the country.
MTN Ghana has further indicated that the new spectrum will form an important component of its broader strategy to respond to increasing demand for mobile data and advanced digital services as consumers, businesses and other organisations increasingly depend on reliable and high speed internet connectivity.
The company has pledged to keep investors and other stakeholders informed about significant developments as it progresses with the spectrum acquisition and prepares for the nationwide expansion of its 5G services.
The latest award follows several stages in the NCA’s 2026 spectrum licensing process.
In September, the regulator announced that MTN Ghana, Telecel Ghana and Goal Telecommunications had successfully passed the qualification stage for applications covering the 700 MHz, 2.3 GHz and 3 GHz bands. The NCA had received four applications, with Infrava Ltd being the only applicant that did not qualify for the subsequent stage.
MTN Ghana subsequently emerged as the successful applicant for two lots in the 700 MHz band after the NCA opened and ranked the best price offers submitted by qualified applicants. The 700 MHz portion of the process was concluded with MTN Ghana securing the two lots available to a single applicant.
The subsequent award of the 3 GHz spectrum gives MTN Ghana access to a substantial block of mid band capacity that can be deployed to support higher capacity 5G services, particularly in areas where demand for fast mobile connectivity is high.
The company’s acquisition of both low band spectrum in the 700 MHz range and mid band spectrum in the 3 GHz range also provides different technical advantages for network deployment. Lower frequency spectrum can support wider coverage and stronger indoor penetration, while mid band spectrum can provide additional capacity for high speed data services in areas with significant network demand.
The move is therefore expected to strengthen MTN Ghana’s ability to expand its 5G network while accommodating the growing volume of mobile data traffic generated by customers.
Ghana’s telecommunications sector has been preparing for a broader expansion of 5G services as the NCA advances the allocation of additional spectrum resources. The regulator has indicated that the licensing exercise is intended to facilitate significantly faster data services, lower latency and greater connectivity for consumers as well as support emerging industrial and digital applications.
For MTN Ghana, the latest spectrum award represents a major strategic investment in its network infrastructure and provides the company with additional resources to pursue its ambitions in mobile connectivity and home broadband services.
The company has consequently expressed appreciation to its shareholders and other stakeholders for their continued support as it undertakes the investment and moves towards the deployment of the newly awarded spectrum.
With the required formalities and payments now being finalised, attention will turn to the formal issuance of the licences and MTN Ghana’s subsequent deployment of the additional spectrum as the telecommunications operator prepares to expand high speed 5G connectivity to customers across the country.
