NCA Ghana: Names 3 Qualified Applicants for 5G Spectrum Licenses

• The National Communications Authority (NCA) has completed the qualification stage for Ghana's 5G spectrum licenses.
• Three out of four applicants, Scancom Plc (MTN Ghana), Ghana Telecommunications Company Limited (Telecel Ghana), and Goal Telecommunications Ltd, have qualified.
• These qualified entities will now proceed to the "Best Price Offers" stage for the 700 MHz, 2.3 GHz, and 3 GHz spectrum bands.
• The NCA, operating under the National Communications Authority Act, 2008 (Act 769), is Ghana's regulator for electronic communications.
• The announcement was made on September 9, 2026, following an application deadline of August 27, 2026.

This announcement clarifies the competitive landscape for Ghana's 5G market, informing strategic decisions for all industry stakeholders.

The National Communications Authority (NCA) in Ghana has officially concluded the qualification phase for its highly anticipated 5G spectrum licensing process. This crucial step, announced on September 9, 2026, narrows down the field of contenders vying for access to vital frequency bands, including the 700 MHz, 2.3 GHz, and 3 GHz spectrum. The Authority received a total of four applications by the August 27, 2026, 5:00 p.m. deadline, marking a significant milestone in the nation's digital infrastructure development.

Following a rigorous assessment that encompassed both an Eligibility Review and a Technical Qualification Assessment, three of the four applicants have successfully met the stringent criteria. This evaluation, referred to as "Envelope A (Technical and Qualification Submission)" in the Request for Applications, determined which entities possess the necessary technical capabilities and foundational eligibility to proceed. The NCA has communicated its determination, including reasons for non-qualification, to all parties involved.

The National Communications Authority has publicly released the Ghana 5G license applicants list that successfully navigated the initial qualification stage. These include prominent telecommunications providers Scancom Plc, operating as MTN Ghana, and Ghana Telecommunications Company Limited, known as Telecel Ghana. Additionally, Goal Telecommunications Ltd has also secured a spot among the qualified entities. These three companies are now poised to advance to the subsequent and final stage of the selection process for the coveted spectrum licenses.

Conversely, one applicant did not meet the required standards during the assessment. In line with the established procedures, the "Envelope B" submission, which contains the Best Price Offers from the non-qualified applicant, will not be opened. The qualified applicants will receive separate notifications detailing the specific date, time, and venue for the opening and ranking of their respective Best Price Offers, signaling the imminent conclusion of this competitive Ghana telecoms spectrum licensing exercise. Lawyers advising these qualified applicants must now prepare for this critical financial stage.

The entire 5G spectrum licensing initiative is overseen by the National Communications Authority, Ghana's primary regulatory body for the electronic communications sector. Established in 1996, the NCA operates under the comprehensive mandate provided by the National Communications Authority Act, 2008 (Act 769). This legislative framework empowers the Authority to license and regulate all communication activities and services across the country, ensuring a structured and fair process for market entry and operation.

The NCA's role is critical in fostering a competitive and innovative telecommunications landscape. Its meticulous approach to the qualification stage underscores its commitment to ensuring that only technically capable and eligible entities are granted the opportunity to deploy next-generation 5G services. This regulatory diligence is vital for the successful rollout of advanced mobile broadband capabilities nationwide.

This announcement clarifies the competitive landscape for Ghana's 5G market, informing strategic decisions for all industry stakeholders. The progression of Scancom Plc, Ghana Telecommunications Company Limited, and Goal Telecommunications Ltd to the Best Price Offers stage sets the scene for a robust competition that will ultimately shape the future of high-speed connectivity in Ghana. The allocation of the 700 MHz, 2.3 GHz, and 3 GHz bands is crucial for enabling diverse 5G applications and services, from enhanced mobile broadband to industrial IoT.

The successful completion of this qualification phase brings Ghana closer to realizing its ambition of widespread 5G deployment. The upcoming "Best Price Offers" stage will be a decisive moment, determining which of the qualified applicants will ultimately secure the rights to deploy 5G networks, thereby influencing the pace and quality of digital transformation across the nation.

Lawyers advising the qualified applicants must prepare for the upcoming 'Best Price Offers' stage of the 5G spectrum licensing process. This announcement also clarifies the competitive landscape for Ghana's 5G market, informing strategic decisions for all industry stakeholders.

Source: Original reporting via National Communications Authority.