Nigeria’s Communications Commission, NCC has said that three telecommunications companies have qualified as approved bidders for the upcoming auction of 3.5 gigahertz spectrum for the deployment of 5G networks in the country. NCC Public Affairs Director Ikechukwu Adinde, in a statement said that qualified bidders have also complied with the Bid Deposit Intent as outlined in the Information Memorandum, and are MTN Nigeria Plc., Mafab Communications Limited and Airtel Networks Limited. .
According to the statement, the bidders had complied with all the regulatory principles of the open and transparent auction commission. It said that, “Qualified bidders who have met the criteria to participate in the 3.5 Ghz spectrum licensing process, including the payment of the intent to bid deposit (IBD) stipulated as described in the Memorandum of Information (IM), include MTN Nigeria Plc., Mafab Communications Limited and Airtel Networks Limited.“Consequently, the stage is now set for the three companies to participate in the Main Auction, as well as in the mandatory Mock Auction process, which will come as a precursor to the Main Auction.”
The Commission also reaffirmed the dates for both the Drill and the Main Auction. The mock auction is scheduled for Friday, December 10, 2021 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja at 11:00 a.m. M., While the main auction will take place on Monday, December 13, 2021 at the same place and at the same time.