NCC Renews MTN Nigeria’s 800MHz Spectrum Licences

The Nigerian Communications Commission has approved the renewal of MTN Nigeria’s 800MHz spectrum band licence for an additional 10 years.

The renewed licence will run from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2034.

In a notice submitted to the Nigerian Exchange Limited on Wednesday, MTN Nigeria also confirmed the extension of its second 800MHz spectrum band licence (Channel 2), which was initially set to expire on December 31, 2030.

The licence has been extended for an additional four years, aligning its new expiry date with Channel 1 on December 31, 2034.

The notice, signed by the company’s secretary, Uto Ukpanah, stated that the harmonization of the licences ensures that both spectrum bands now share the same expiration date, simplifying future renewals and operational processes.

Speaking on the development, MTN Nigeria CEO Karl Toriola said, “We are pleased with the successful renewal and harmonization of our 800MHz spectrum licences, which lay a solid foundation for the ongoing delivery of 4G services to our customers. This enables us to continue to meet the demand for data and is integral to our broader strategy for enhancing connectivity.”

MTN Nigeria, one of Africa’s largest telecommunications service providers, connects over 81 million customers, representing a 51% market penetration in Nigeria.

Launched in 2001, MTN Nigeria is part of the MTN Group, a multinational telecommunications company operating in 18 countries across Africa and the Middle East.