Airtel Nigeria has paid N71.611 billion naira ($189 million) to renew its spectrum licences in the 900MHz and 1800MHz bands for the next ten years.
Disclosing this in a statement titled ‘Airtel Nigeria licence renewals’, dated 28th January 2021 and signed by the Group Company Secretary, Simon O’Hara.
It explained that the spectrum’s licences will expire on the 30th of November 2021, hence, the need for the organization to apply for renewal.
Following the application, the NCC subsequently offered Airtel Nigeria the opportunity to renew its Spectrum licences in the 900MHz and 1800MHz bands for a period of ten years with effect from 1st of December 2021 until 30th of November 2031, which Airtel Nigeria accepted.
The statement reads in part:
“The application for the renewal of the spectrum licences in the 900MHz and 1800MHz bands for its Nigerian subsidiary, Airtel Networks Limited (“Airtel Nigena”), has been approved by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).”
In addition, Airtel revealed that in accordance with the terms of spectrum licences in Nigeria, it paid a sum of 71. 611 billion naira ($189 million) in respect of the licence renewal fees.
Commenting on this development, the CEO of Airtel Africa, Raghunath Mandava said,
“| am pleased to announce that our application in Nigeria to renew our spectrum licences in the 900MHz and 1800MHz bands for a ten-year period has been approved by the NCC. This is our largest market and we remain focused on bridging the digital divide and expanding our broadband capability in the country. On behalf of Airtel Nigeria and the Group, | would like to thank both the government of Nigeria and the NCC for their cooperation and support in this important process.”
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