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 as Ghana’s sole wholesale 5G infrastructure provider.
The Authority said the amendment, which takes effect from Wednesday, July 15, 2026, was made in the public interest to promote competition and accelerate the growth of the country’s telecommunications sector.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the NCA explained that the exclusivity provision was originally introduced as part of the regulatory framework to support the development of a national wholesale 5G network, giving NGIC the sole right to own and operate wholesale 5G infrastructure in Ghana.
However, the Authority said developments in the telecommunications market have made it necessary to adopt a more competitive wholesale 5G environment.
According to the NCA, a competitive market will encourage greater investment, foster innovation, improve network resilience, enhance service quality and expand access to advanced communications services across the country.
The Authority noted that its decision was made under powers granted by Article 6.1.2 of NGIC’s licence and Section 14 of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775), which empowers it to amend licence conditions in the public interest.
It said the regulatory process began with the issuance of a Notice of Proposed Amendment to NGIC on March 2, 2026, followed by consultations with the company on March 18.
The NCA said NGIC subsequently exercised its legal right by submitting a Statement of Objections on April 1, after which the company was given a further opportunity to make oral representations before the Authority’s Governing Board on May 28.
“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 clarified that the amendment affects only the exclusivity provision and does not alter the validity of the remainder of NGIC’s licence.
It added that NGIC retains all its existing rights and obligations under the licence, including its spectrum assignment.
The Authority expressed confidence that the amendment would strengthen competition in Ghana’s wholesale 5G market, encourage investment and innovation, and support the country’s digital transformation agenda.
READ ALSO:
No forest reserve is under the control of illegal miners anymore – Lands Minister
Accra Mayor briefs Ga Traditional Council on proposed Agbogbloshie 24-hour market
