In furtherance of its regulatory initiatives for improved telecommunication services in the country, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has approved the renewal of the spectrum lease agreement between MTN Nigeria Communications Plc and Natcom Development and Investment Limited (NTEL).
The spectrum lease renewal approval which will span two years and take effect from May 1, 2025, was conveyed in a Notice filed by MTN’s Company Secretary, Barrister Uto Ukpanah, to the Nigeria Exchange Limited (NGX), indicated that the agreement covered NTEL’s 5MHz frequency division duplex in the 900MHz spectrum band and 10MHz FDD in the 1800MHz spectrum band across 19 states.
The Notice reads: “MTN Nigeria Communications Plc hereby notifies Nigerian Exchange Limited and the investing public that NCC has approved the renewal of the spectrum lease agreement between MTN Nigeria and Natcom Development and Investment Limited.
“Additionally, the NCC approved a one-year lease expansion of the spectrums to cover the remaining 17 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), effective January 1, 2025.
“This agreement covers the lease of NTEL’s 5MHz frequency division duplex in the 900MHz spectrum band and 10MHz FDD in the 1800MHz spectrum band, which spans 19 states. The renewal is for another two-year period, effective May 1, 2025”, Ukpanah added.
He quoted the MTN Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer, Karl Toriola, as saying that the telco’s management is “pleased with the renewal of the spectrum lease agreement with NTEL, which now includes coverage for all states, including the FCT.
“The lease enables us to enhance our 3G and 4G user experience as we improve coverage and capacity by utilising the spectrums. This positions us to capitalise on the growing demand for data and improve the delivery of services to our customers”, Toriola added.
