MTN Nigeria confirms N18.96 billion payment for new broadband spectrum

MTN Nigeria as affirmed the payment of N18.96 billion license fee after winning in a national broadband spectrum auction where the mobile phone company was sole bidder.

In a statement by the telecom giant today, MTN Nigeria also confirmed that another N30 billion has been paid to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) as part of the renegotiated N330 billion punitive fine imposed on the telecoms company for 5.1 million unregistered phone subscribers.

The payment of the latest N30 billion increases fines so far paid by MTN Nigeria to N80 billion, after the Federal Government struck a deal with the mobile phone company to reduce the N1.04 trillion fine to N330 billion.

“After complying with all the requirements for the 2.6GHz auction and making the licence payment of N18.96 billion to the NCC, MTN has been issued a letter of award. With the 2.6 GHz band, we expect to roll out and provide the full range of LTE services to Nigerians, empowering Nigeria with the latest mobile broadband technology,” says Ferdi Moolman, CEO of MTN Nigeria.

Today’s payment confirmation by MTN Nigeria followed an announcement by NCC that MTN Nigeria was provisionally granted the 2.6GHz spectrum when the mobile phone company staked $90 million to emerge sole bidder in the latest licence sales by the telecoms industry regulator.

The Director of Public Affairs at NCC, Mr. Tony Ojobo, earlier this month confirmed the provisional award of the 2.6GHz spectrum to MTN Nigeria, pending the final completion of payment balance by the mobile phone company.