Mobile operator picks up 30 MHz of frequencies in 2.6 GHz band, regulator confirms.



MTN was the sole winner of spectrum in last month's 2.6-GHz sale in Nigeria, the country's telecoms regulator announced recently.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in May revealed that only one bidder had come forward for airwaves in the 2.6 GHz band and said that as a result it would be awarded spectrum without the need for an auction.
It did not, however, name the bidder.
It has since revealed that the spectrum in question will go to MTN. The South Africa-based telecom group submitted an application for 30 MHz of paired frequencies and will be awarded those frequencies at the reserve price, less the deposit it has already paid, the NCC confirmed.
The reserve price for that amount of spectrum was set at US$96 million.
There were 2x70 MHz of spectrum up for grabs in total. The NCC has not commented on what will become of the unsold frequencies.
The announcement of the spectrum award to MTN Nigeria comes after a difficult period for the telco.
It has been battling a hefty fine imposed upon it for failing to disconnect SIM cards in accordance with the regulator's timetable for well over half a year. It brokered a deal with the government a fortnight ago – just days before the spectrum award announcement – that will see it pay 330 million naira, or $1.67 billion, over a three-year period.
That deal left the way clear for the telco to name a new group chief executive to replace Phuthuma Nhleko, who has been running the company as executive chairman on a temporary basis since Sifiso Dabengwa stepped down in the autumn.
Rob Shuter, Vodafone's European head, will take over as CEO of MTN group as soon as possible next year, but no later than 1 July 2017, MTN announced on Monday.