The National Communications Authority has issued a formal Notice of Proposed Licence Amendment to Next-Gen Infraco (NGIC), seeking to eliminate the 5G exclusivity clause that currently grants the company sole rights to provide fifth-generation mobile services in Ghana.
In a press release dated March 4, the NCA explained that the proposed change is driven by the public interest and is intended to foster greater competition, encourage innovation, expand consumer choice, improve service quality, speed up nationwide digital transformation, and promote the efficient use of spectrum as a scarce national resource.
The Authority stated that the amendment would take effect 90 days from the date of the notice, in line with Section 14 of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775), unless the licensee submits representations that lead to a different decision after due consideration.
“The NCA assures the general public that the proposed amendment follows due process and is consistent with the Authority’s mandate to regulate communications services in a manner that safeguards the national interest,” the statement read.
In a related disclosure, the NCA confirmed that NGIC has so far installed 49 5G sites across the country. The majority — 43 sites — are concentrated in the Greater Accra Region, with two in the Ashanti Region and one each in the Western, Northern, Bono and Central regions.
The Authority also noted that NGIC is currently in default of its licence fee instalment payments as stipulated in the Schedule of Licence Fee Payments attached to its licence. The NCA said the matter is being handled strictly in accordance with the applicable licence conditions and statutory provisions.
The proposed amendment and the payment default issue are expected to spark further debate in the telecom sector, where NGIC’s exclusive 5G position has been a point of contention among industry players and consumer advocates who argue that competition would drive faster rollout and better pricing.
