The National Communications Authority (NCA) has issued a notice proposing an amendment to the licence of Next-Gen Infraco (NGIC) that would remove the company’s exclusive rights to provide 5G infrastructure services in the country, a move regulators say is intended to promote competition and accelerate the country’s digital transformation.
In a statement issued on March 4 in Accra, the regulator said the proposed amendment was made under Section 14 of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775) and forms part of efforts to ensure broader participation in the rollout of next-generation mobile services.
The authority said removing the exclusivity provision would help stimulate innovation and improve service delivery across the telecommunications sector.
According to the NCA, the proposed policy shift aims to promote competition in the provision of 5G services, improve consumer choice and service quality, accelerate nationwide digital transformation, and ensure more efficient use of spectrum resources.
“The Authority considers this action to be in the public interest,” the regulator said, noting that opening the market could create conditions for more dynamic investment and technology deployment in Ghana’s communications sector.
Under the provisions of Act 775, the proposed amendment will take effect 90 days after the issuance of the notice unless a different decision is taken after reviewing representations from NGIC within the statutory notice period.
The regulator stressed that the amendment process follows the legal procedures outlined in the Act and forms part of its broader mandate to regulate communications services in a manner that safeguards national interest.
The development represents a potentially significant shift in Ghana’s emerging 5G ecosystem. NGIC was initially granted the role of a shared infrastructure provider responsible for deploying 5G network infrastructure that mobile network operators could access.
Regulators have previously argued that the shared infrastructure model could help reduce duplication of network investments and accelerate deployment of high-speed connectivity across the country. However, the proposed amendment suggests policymakers are reassessing the exclusivity framework in favour of a more competitive market structure.
In a related update, the NCA disclosed that NGIC has so far installed 49 operational 5G sites nationwide.
Most of the installations are concentrated in the Greater Accra Region, which accounts for 43 of the deployed sites. The remaining sites are distributed across several regions including the Ashanti Region with two sites, and one site each in the Western Region, Northern Region, Bono Region, and Central Region.
The regulator also disclosed that NGIC is currently in default on an instalment payment related to its licence fees. The payment forms part of the schedule of licence fee obligations stipulated under the company’s licence conditions.
According to the NCA, the matter is being addressed in line with the applicable regulatory provisions and licence requirements.
While the authority did not specify the value or timing of the outstanding payment, it indicated that enforcement actions will follow the procedures outlined under the licensing framework.
The regulator reiterated its commitment to maintaining transparent and predictable oversight of the sector to support sustainable investment and long-term industry growth.
“The NCA remains committed to transparent, fair and predictable regulation to ensure sustainable investment, competition and growth in Ghana’s communications sector,” the statement said.
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