MTN Ghana has been awarded all three lots in the 3GHz band, according to a notice it filed with the Ghana Stock Exchange on October 2, 2026. The Rio Times cites that notice as PR 400/2026. Graphic Online reported the award on October 5, per the same source list.
That brings MTN’s total to about US$202 million across two bands. Telecel Ghana says it has won three lots in the 2.3GHz band. The National Communications Authority (NCA) has not yet published final results for either band, according to Tech.Africa.
The Money
The Rio Times reports that MTN is paying US$100.9 million for low-band spectrum and US$101.1 million for mid-band spectrum. That is US$202 million in all.
Tech.Africa reports that the 3GHz fee works out to about US$33.7 million per lot. Three lots at that rate come to about US$101.1 million, which matches The Rio Times.
An Earlier Figure Is Now Settled
Our September report noted that outlets disagreed on the 700MHz fee. Some printed US$109.9 million. Others printed US$100.9 million.
The newer reporting points to US$100.9 million. The Rio Times uses that figure and cites MTN’s own notice. Tech.Africa adds a check. It says MTN’s fee is US$100,000 above its premium-adjusted reserve of US$50.4 million per lot. Two lots at that reserve come to US$100.8 million. Add US$100,000 and you reach US$100.9 million.
Who Got What
Band Lots available Reported outcome 700MHz 2 MTN won both lots as the only qualified applicant, for US$100.9 million.
2.3GHz 5 Telecel says it won 3 lots (60 MHz). Goal Telecommunications applied for 1 lot and has announced no outcome 3GHz 3 MTN won all 3 lots for about US$101.1 million
The 2.3GHz and 3GHz lot counts come from the NCA statement as reported by Graphic Online. At bid opening on September 11, the NCA said Telecel and Goal had applied for four 2.3GHz lots between them, according to Graphic Online. It said MTN and Telecel had applied for four 3GHz lots between them, against three available.
Two small points. Telecel’s three lots total 60 MHz, so each lot is 20 MHz. That is our arithmetic from the reported figures. And because MTN took all three 3GHz lots, Telecel received none in that band. Telecel’s own statement did not mention the 3GHz band, according to Tech.Africa.
The Premium MTN Paid
MTN is the only operator the NCA designates as having significant market power. That carried a 40 percent premium on the reserve price in both the 700MHz and 3GHz bands, according to Tech.Africa and The Rio Times.
MTN still won everything it bid for. The premium raised its price. It did not stop it winning.
What MTN Must Do Next
Tech.Africa reports two conditions attached to MTN’s licences. MTN must file a reference offer within 90 days of the licence taking effect. Roaming must be available within six months.
The report does not explain the legal basis for these conditions. They look linked to MTN’s market power designation. That is our inference, not a stated fact.
MTN says it will add the spectrum to its existing holdings, according to Tech.Africa. It says it will expand capacity, grow 5G mobility and connect homes to broadband.
What Telecel Says
Telecel announced its 2.3GHz award in mid-September. Reports date the announcement to September 16 and 17. Tech.Africa carries a correction dated October 7. It says the outcome in the band was announced by Telecel on September 17.
Techpoint Africa writes that Telecel’s planned December launch should give consumers another option and add competition to the high-speed mobile market. It calls the round “a significant change in Ghana’s 5G strategy.” Techpoint also reports that in March Telecel said it planned to raise network infrastructure investment by about 150 percent in 2026. It says Telecel’s revenue grew nearly 30 percent in 2025 and the company returned to profitability.
Final NCA results. Tech.Africa says the NCA has not yet published final results for either band. Goal Telecommunications. It applied for one 2.3GHz lot. No outcome has been announced.
Telecel’s fee. Its statement did not disclose one, according to Tech.Africa. Launch dates. No source we reviewed gives a confirmed commercial 5G launch date for MTN. Telecel’s December launch is described only as planned.
One comparison we are not using. The Rio Times compares the spectrum bill with MTN’s first-half capital spending of about US$179 million. It gives a ratio of about 16 percent. We could not reproduce that. US$202 million is larger than US$179 million. We have left the ratio out.
What It Could Mean for Customers
The 700MHz band is described by the NCA as suited to wide-area and rural coverage, according to Tech.Africa. That points to better reach, including indoors and in weaker areas. It does not by itself mean faster speeds.
Mid-band spectrum like 3GHz is usually about capacity. MTN’s own stated aim is to add capacity and push home broadband. If it follows through, the first visible change may be home internet offers.
Competition looks real. Both major operators now have new spectrum. But spectrum is not a network. Towers, equipment and coverage still have to be built. Customers should judge by what each operator actually switches on.
