By Audrey Lotechukwu
THUR 28 JAN, 2021-theGBJournal- The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has renewed the spectrum licences in the 900MHz and 1800MHz bands for Airtel Africa’s Nigerian subsidiary, Airtel Networks Limited (Airtel Nigeria), following the company’s application for licence renewals.
Under the terms of the spectrum licences, Airtel Nigeria has paid N71.611 billion ($189 million) in respect of the licence renewal fees.
The spectrum licences were otherwise due to expire on 30 November 2021, Airtel Africa said in their notification to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) today.
Raghunath Mandava, CEO of Airtel Africa said in the notification that he was pleased ‘’to announce that the application in Nigeria to renew the 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,” Mandava said.
Airtel Africa, one of the leading providers of telecommunications and mobile money services, with a presence in 14 countries across Africa said, following the application, the NCC subsequently offered Airtel Nigeria 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.
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