MTN has significant 5G plans in South Africa. Back in 2019, MTN, the biggest in Nigeria’s telecom market, conducted 5G trials in the cities of Abuja, Lagos, and Calabar, but all that could hit the rocks.
Despite having gained temporary spectrums from the ICASA, the latter is saying it will not allow telcos with more than 45% market share (classified as tier 1) to bid for 5G spectrums since 5G spectrums are few, and the South African government is set to undertake an auction where several telcos will “fight for the right to transmit 5G.”
It is noteworthy that Vodacom and MTN are considered in the tier 1 category while others like Telkom, Cell C, Rain, and Liquid telecom will be eligible to apply since they’re placed in the tier 2 category.
MTN is unconvinced by the ICASA’s reasons for the tier 1 classification, and it believes every Telco deserves equal access to bid at the 5G auction.
This presents another major shake-up for MTN in a country where it enjoys dominance.
