ABUJA, Nigeria -- The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) announced its intention to license spectrum in the 2 GHz bands (3G) in order to further the development of the communications industry in 2006. Following the Commission’s advert for Expressions of Interest in February 2007, 17 companies responded. Subsequently an Information Memorandum was issued in which Bid Applications for the 4 available spectrum lots were invited.

Response to Information Memorandum

The NCC is pleased to announce that, by the application deadline of 17:00 hours on 16th March 2007, it had received 4 applications. These applications were from:

1. Alheri Engineering Co. Ltd
2. Celtel Nigeria Ltd.
3. Globacom Ltd.
4. MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd

Licence award

The 4 applicants’ submissions were evaluated with respect to the compliance details outlined in the Information Memorandum. Each applicant was found to have been fully compliant. In these circumstances, where the number of applicants matches the number of lots, no further allocation process is required. As such, the NCC is pleased to announce that each of the applicants has been successful in its bid for a 10MHz lot in the 2GHz band. The Commission expects to receive the Licence Fees, being the Reserve Price of U.S. $150 million less the Intention-to-Bid Deposit of U.S. $15million, within 14 business days of Award of the Provisional Licence. Upon receipt of cleared funds, the Commission will award the Spectrum Licence.

NCC achieves it’s objectives

The NCC has at the outset of this licence allocation process stated its objectives to efficiently allocate spectrum to those who value it most in an open and transparent manner, following international best practice. The NCC has fully met those objectives. It congratulates the winning participants and looks forward to the contribution they will make to the further development of the Nigerian telecommunications sector and the economy. As one of the first African countries to issue 3G spectrum, the NCC believes the success of this licensing process will help maintain Nigeria’s place in the vanguard of investing in and deploying new communication technology in Africa.

Nigerian Communications Commission