Airtel Africa Buys $40m Spectrum In Kenya After Losing Nigeria’s 5G
Airtel Africa has purchased $40million additional spectrum in Kenya to extend its operation in the country, eight months after its lost the 5G bid to MTN Nigeria and Mafab Communications Limited in Nigeria.
The firm acquired 60 megahertz (MHz) of additional spectrum in Kenya through its subsidiary, Airtel Kenya Networks Limited.
Airtel Africa on Monday said the spectrum license would be valid for 15 years, starting from July 2022, adding that the acquisition would improve its 4G service, and enable the rollout of its 5G in Kenya.
This comes amid Airtel Africa’s inability to acquire a 5G spectrum in Nigeria, its largest market in Africa.
Airtel Africa would have to wait for two years before laying its hands on the 5G spectrum or offering 5G network service, after the firm was outbid in the bidding round held in December 2021 by MTN Nigeria and Mafab Communications Limited. The winning bid was $273,600,000.
Speaking on the newly acquired spectrum in Kenya, Airtel Africa said: “Airtel Kenya Networks Limited (Airtel Kenya), has purchased 60 MHz of additional spectrum in the 2600 MHz band from the Communications Authority of Kenya, for a gross consideration of $40m. The license is valid from July 2022 for 15 years.
The first thing I did was to be “This additional spectrum will support our 4G network capacity expansion in the market for mobile data and fixed wireless home broadband capability, and will allow for future 5G rollout, providing significant capacity to accommodate our continued strong data growth in the country.”
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