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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