The National Communications Authority (NCA) has officially initiated a call for applications regarding Ghana 5G spectrum licenses. This regulatory decision transitions the nation away from the previous exclusive wholesale model, under which Next Gen Infraco Limited (NGIC) functioned as the sole provider. By issuing this request for Ghana 5G spectrum licenses, the regulatory body aims to reshape the landscape of the country’s telecommunications sector.
Transition to a Competitive Wholesale 5G Framework
In a recent regulatory update, the NCA confirmed the amendment of the Wholesale Electronic Communications Infrastructure (Telecommunications) Licence previously granted to NGIC. The amendment removes the condition that granted the company exclusive rights to operate as the sole provider of the country’s wholesale 5G infrastructure.
The NCA stated that as the telecommunications market has evolved, public interest is better served by transitioning to a competitive wholesale 5G market. Such a framework is structured to promote investment, encourage innovation, strengthen network resilience, and improve overall service quality. The shift toward a competitive wholesale 5G model is also expected to facilitate wider access to advanced communications services.
The authority emphasized that its power to amend the license originates from Article 6.1.2 of the NGIC license and Section 14 of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775), which allows license conditions to be altered in the interest of the public.
The End of Exclusive Rights
To facilitate this new market phase, the NCA released a detailed 32-page Request for Applications. This document covers three specific frequency bands: 700MHz, 2.3GHz, and the 3GHz midband. Interested entities have until August 6, 2026, to submit their applications. This move officially concludes NGIC’s exclusive role in deploying the nation’s 5G infrastructure.
In February 2026, Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation Minister Sam George announced the government’s plan to end the exclusive mandate. The new approach allocates spectrum through a national competitive licensing process, allowing telecom operators to deploy their own networks independently. This announcement followed NGIC missing a June 2025 deadline to launch services in the country.
The Journey Towards Upgraded Network Capabilities
The timeline of the nation’s 5G rollout has seen several adjustments over recent years. In November 2024, NGIC stated it was ready to collaborate with telecom operators and internet service providers to introduce services. The company initially indicated that MTN Ghana, AT Ghana, and Telecel would launch these connections for customers in Accra, Kumasi, and Takoradi before the end of 2024.
This development followed a government announcement in August 2023, which stated it would not auction the spectrum but would instead establish a neutral shared infrastructure company for nationwide 4G and 5G deployment. However, rollout targets were continuously postponed, shifting from December 2024 to January 2025, and eventually to June 2025. In January 2025, former minister Ursula Owusu-Ekuful highlighted that deploying the upgraded technology relied directly on network providers purchasing the necessary capacity to serve their consumers.
Evolution of the Mobile Ecosystem
The shift in regulatory strategy occurs alongside a growing mobile ecosystem in the country. Based on data from market research company Omdia recorded at the end of the second quarter of 2026, the mobile ecosystem demonstrates a continued transition toward advanced connectivity.
Current statistics for the period indicate:
- MTN Ghana recorded an estimated 15.6 million users on 4G out of its total 34.6 million subscriber base.
- Telecel Ghana reported nearly 4 million users on 4G from its total of approximately 9.5 million subscribers.
- AT Ghana maintained 2.3 million users on 3G and 781,420 users on 2G out of its 3.1 million total mobile subscribers.