The National Communications Authority (NCA) has amended the Wholesale Electronic Communications Infrastructure (Telecommunications) Licence of Next Gen Infraco Limited (NGIC), removing the provision that granted the company exclusive rights to operate Ghana’s wholesale 5G infrastructure.
The decision, which takes effect from 15 July 2026, marks a significant shift in Ghana’s telecommunications landscape and paves the way for competition in the country’s emerging wholesale 5G market.
NGIC was originally granted exclusive rights to own and operate wholesale 5G infrastructure under a regulatory framework designed to support the rollout of a national wholesale 5G network. The arrangement positioned the company as the sole provider of wholesale 5G infrastructure services in Ghana.
However, the NCA said developments in the sector have prompted a reassessment of that framework.
In a statement, the regulator said it had concluded that “the public interest is better served by a competitive wholesale 5G market that promotes investment, innovation, network resilience, service quality and wider access to advanced communications services.”
According to the Authority, its decision was made pursuant to powers granted under Article 6.1.2 of NGIC’s licence and Section 14 of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775), which allow for amendments to licence conditions where deemed necessary in the public interest.
The NCA outlined a consultation process undertaken before reaching its decision.
It said a Notice of Proposed Amendment was issued to NGIC on 2 March 2026, followed by a meeting with the company on 18 March 2026. NGIC subsequently exercised its statutory right under Section 14(4) of Act 775 by filing a Statement of Objections on 1 April 2026.
The regulator further indicated that NGIC was given an additional opportunity to present oral submissions before the NCA Governing Board on 28 May 2026.
“After carefully considering NGIC’s written and oral representations, the Authority concluded that it was in the public interest to remove the exclusivity condition from the licence,” the statement said.
The NCA stressed that the amendment affects only the exclusivity provision and does not alter the rest of NGIC’s licence.
As such, the company retains all other rights and obligations under its licence, including its spectrum assignment and operational authorisations.
Industry observers say the move could reshape Ghana’s 5G ecosystem by encouraging additional investment from infrastructure providers and creating opportunities for greater innovation in the delivery of high-speed digital services.
The Authority said it expects the change to stimulate competition in the wholesale 5G segment, improve market efficiency and support the country’s broader digital transformation agenda.
“The amendment is expected to promote competition in the wholesale 5G market, encourage investment and innovation, and further advance Ghana’s digital transformation agenda in the public interest,” the NCA stated.
The development comes as Ghana accelerates efforts to expand advanced digital connectivity and leverage 5G technologies to support economic growth, digital inclusion and next-generation services across multiple sectors.
Source: businesspostonline
