Ghana’s National Communications Authority (NCA) has released a roadmap for the sale of the remaining spectrum in the 800MHz band. The NCA is inviting applicants to vie for the available slots in an auction slated for a later date. The deadline for the submission of applications is 08 October, and the process is expected to finish by 23 December.
MTN already acquired 2x10MHz in the band in December 2015, and the NCA has divided the remaining spectrum into two 2x5MHz slots plus an additional 2x5MHz harvested from the digital migration to make it affordable for interested parties. MTN and others who already have slots in the 800MHz band are excluded from this auction.
The NCA will set a minimum asking price and the top three highest bidders will go into negotiation with the NCA to determine the final sale price. However, if by close of the deadline, there are no bids, the NCA will invite an existing holder of slots in the 800MHz band, like MTN, to make an offer and then negotiate a final licensing fee.
The regulator said it will ensure that the spectrum is sold within the shortest possible timeframe to raise funds for government.
