Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Approves Airtel’s 900MHz and 1800MHz Spectrum Licences for 10 Years

Africa’s leading telecommunications company, Airtel Africa, announced that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has approved its application for renewal of the spectrum licences in the 900MHz and 1800MHz bands.

Airtel Africa’s Nigerian subsidiary, Airtel Networks Limited (“Airtel Nigeria”) “has been approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). These spectrum licences were otherwise due to expire on 30
November 2021,” the company stated.

It company further stated that after the successful application, the commission then offered the telecommunications giant the opportunity to renew its spectrum licences in the 900MHz and 1800MHz bands for a period of ten years with effect from 1 December 2021 until 30 November 2031, which Airtel Nigeria has accepted.

Airtel Nigeria added that under the agreed terms of the spectrum licences, it paid 71.611 billion Naira ($189 million) as licence renewal fees.

Commenting on the renewal, Raghunath Mandava, CEO of Airtel Africa, said: “I am pleased to announce that our application in Nigeria to renew our spectrum licences in the 900MHz and 1800MHz bands for a ten-year period has been approved by the NCC.”

“This is our largest market and we remain focused on bridging the digital divide and expanding our broadband capability in the country. On behalf of Airtel Nigeria and the Group, I would like to thank both the government of Nigeria and the NCC for their cooperation and support in this important process.”