MTN ASKS FOR A SECOND 5G LICENSE, AND TELCOS PROTESTS

There have been protests against MTN Nigeria's bid to be permitted to take part in the next 5G spectrum auction from telecommunications providers.

According to the claims, MTN's plan to purchase additional Fifth-Generation spectrum in the forthcoming 50-spectrum auction set for December 19, 2022, violated competition legislation.

The argument arose during discussions at the Nigerian Communications Commission-organized "Stakeholders' Engagement on the Draft Information Memorandum" on Tuesday in Lagos, which was regarding the auction of additional 2 lots of 100MHz in the 3.5GHz Band.

MTN had politely reaffirmed its earlier recommendations that it would be appropriate to permit successful bidders in the prior auctions of spectrum in the 3.5GHz (or indeed any other spectrum band) to participate in future awards in order to ensure that all of the spectrum can be assigned and used efficiently.

A cumulative cap of 200MHz in the 3.5GHz would, in MTN's opinion, be reasonable for all awards in the band.

Stakeholders and operators who participated in the question-and-answer sessions asserted that giving MTN another 50 licenses would make them a dominant player and as a result would prevent other competitors from expanding.

The fact that such a move was against the spirit of competition was highlighted.

Ikenna (keme, General Manager, Regulatory Affairs, MTN, argued in defense that the business entered the most recent auction in 2021 anticipating that it would be an open market and that it would be permitted to take part in further auctions should the need arise.

The MTN issue would be the subject of future consultations. In the telecommunications sector, he continued, the telco's request was not the first, and Nigeria was an open market.

Umar Garba Danbatta, the NCC's executive vice chairman, addressed the matter by stating that all requests would be given careful attention and that final feedback will be provided before to the auction.

Was MTN's proposal for a second 50 license appropriate? Was the demonstration in response to this justified or blatantly uncalled for?