NCA Initiates Process to Revoke NGIC’s 5G Exclusivity Licence
The National Communications Authority (NCA) has commenced steps to withdraw the 5G exclusivity provision granted to Next-Gen Infraco (NGIC).
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the regulator disclosed that it has served NGIC with a formal Notice of Proposed Licence Amendment in line with Section 14 of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775).
Should the amendment be confirmed, it will eliminate the clause that confers exclusive rights on NGIC to operate fifth-generation (5G) network services in Ghana.
The NCA indicated that the move is being undertaken in the public interest, aimed at promoting a more vibrant and competitive telecommunications landscape.
According to the Authority, liberalising the 5G segment is expected to spur innovation, broaden consumer choice, improve service quality, and fast-track Ghana’s digital transformation drive. It also emphasised that the measure will support the optimal and efficient utilisation of spectrum as a national asset.
Under Section 14 of Act 775, the proposed amendment will take effect ninety (90) days from the date of the notice, unless varied following any submissions made by NGIC within the statutory notice period.
In a related development, the NCA revealed that NGIC is in breach of its licence conditions due to outstanding instalment payments of its licence fees.
The regulator stated that it is addressing the default in accordance with the applicable licence terms and relevant statutory provisions.
Notwithstanding the regulatory action and the reported arrears, the statement acknowledged NGIC’s ongoing deployment of 5G infrastructure nationwide.
The company has so far rolled out 49 operational 5G sites, with 43 located in the Greater Accra Region. The remaining sites are distributed across the Ashanti Region (2), Western Region (1), Northern Region (1), Bono Region (1), and Central Region (1).
The NCA sought to assure stakeholders that the proposed amendment is being pursued in accordance with due process and aligns with its statutory mandate to regulate the communications sector in the national interest.
It further reaffirmed its commitment to transparent, fair and predictable regulation to promote sustainable investment, competition and growth within Ghana’s telecommunications industry.
