Ghana: NCA clears MTN, Telecel and Goal Telecom for next stage of 5G spectrum licensing

Ghana’s National Communications Authority (NCA) has cleared three companies to proceed to the next stage of the country’s ongoing 5G spectrum licensing process, after one of the four applicants failed to meet the required qualification criteria.

Scancom Plc, operator of MTN Ghana; Ghana Telecommunications Company Limited, operator of Telecel Ghana; and Goal Telecommunications Ltd have successfully passed the qualification stage.

The development follows the submission of four applications ahead of the August 27, 2026, 5 p.m. deadline. The NCA subsequently conducted eligibility reviews and technical assessments to determine whether each applicant met the requirements for progression to the next phase.

NCA disqualifies Infrava from 5G licensing process

In a statement issued on September 9, 2026, the regulator identified Infrava Ltd as the only applicant that failed to qualify for the next stage.

The NCA said all four applicants had been formally informed of the outcome of the assessment, with reasons provided where necessary.

Following the disqualification, Infrava Ltd will not proceed to the next phase of the licensing process. The regulator also confirmed that the company’s Envelope B submission will remain unopened.

The decision effectively brings the qualification phase of the NCA’s Request for Applications for the spectrum licences to a close.

Three operators advance to Stage 3

The three successful applicants will now proceed to Stage 3 of the licensing process, covering spectrum in the 700MHz, 2.3GHz and 3GHz frequency bands.

The NCA said it would separately notify the qualified companies of the date, time and venue for the opening and ranking of their Best Price Offers.

The outcome of this stage will determine how the available spectrum is allocated among the qualified applicants, marking another step towards the expansion of advanced mobile communication infrastructure in Ghana.

The licensing process is expected to support the rollout and expansion of 5G services across the country, with spectrum availability in the designated bands playing a critical role in strengthening Ghana’s next-generation connectivity infrastructure.

The latest development therefore moves Ghana’s 5G spectrum process from qualification and technical assessment towards the commercial evaluation stage, as the NCA prepares to assess the Best Price Offers submitted by the three successful applicants.