Ghana’s National Communications Authority (NCA) has opened applications for new spectrum licenses for mobile broadband services, including 5G. This move requires MTN Ghana to pay a 40% premium on selected bands. The surcharge applies because the NCA designates MTN Ghana as an operator with Significant Market Power (SMP).
This premium aims to level the playing field in Ghana's emerging 5G market. The NCA's Request for Applications (RFA) was issued on July 16, 2026. It invites various telecommunication companies to apply for licenses across 11 spectrum lots in three different bands.
This initiative fits into Ghana’s broader strategy to enhance its digital infrastructure and foster competition. The government wants to ensure that no single operator dominates the crucial 5G landscape. Data from the NCA consistently shows MTN Ghana as the market leader in subscriber numbers and network coverage.
The NCA states it is legally obligated under the Electronic Communications Act, 2008, Act 775, to consider competition in spectrum assignment. The regulator will apply an asymmetric premium to the minimum reserve price for any operator with Significant Market Power. The NCA confirmed in the official RFA document that "MTN Ghana is the only operator designated as holding Significant Market Power."
This decision means MTN's cost for acquiring critical 5G spectrum will be notably higher than for other applicants. The 40% premium applies specifically to MTN’s bids in the 700 MHz and 3 GHz mid-bands. For example, a 700 MHz lot will cost MTN US$50.40 million, up from US$36.00 million. Similarly, a 3 GHz mid-band lot will cost US$33.60 million, compared to US$24.00 million for others.
If MTN acquires the maximum permitted two lots in the 700 MHz band and all three lots in the 3 GHz mid-band, its minimum payment would total US$201.60 million. A non-SMP applicant would pay US$144.00 million for the same allocation. This represents a difference of US$57.60 million.
The NCA has also introduced restrictions on the number of lots any single applicant can acquire. No applicant can be awarded more than two lots in the 700 MHz band. This rule aims to preserve competition in low-band coverage. In the 2.3 GHz band, applicants can secure a maximum of three lots. Companies already holding 2.6 GHz spectrum cannot apply for 2.3 GHz spectrum, a measure to broaden access to mid-band capacity.
These policies will shape the competitive landscape of Ghana's 5G rollout. Market watchers will observe whether this premium approach encourages new investments and innovation. The strategy aims to open up the market without discouraging the dominant player, MTN, from investing in nationwide 5G infrastructure. This balancing act is crucial for Ghana's future digital economy.