The Uganda Communication Commission’s (UCC) recent 5G spectrum auction saw MTN and Airtel Uganda take the lion’s share. However, there were three other telecom companies that shared the remaining 32% of the frequency. The auction ushered in new market entrants in mobile space — Ala Technology (trading as Intracom), the recently launched Tangerine Limited which trades as LycaMobile, and the revamped Uganda Telecommunications Corporation Limited (UTCL) formerly known as Uganda Telecom (UTL).
In the competitive multi-band award process. the telcos had to pay an initial commitment fee (bank guarantee) of up to USD 1.5 million if they wanted to deploy the new technology using more than one frequency band. The regulator had planned complete the allocation process by mid-August this year after the carriers had completed the spectrum reservation process by the 21st of July but seems the process has been fast-tracked.
| Band | MTN | Airtel | Intracom | LycaMobile | UTCL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 700MHz (FDD) | YES | YES | YES | ||
| 800MHz (FDD) | YES* | YES | YES | ||
| 2300MHZ (TDD) | YES | ||||
| 3500MHz (TDD) | YES | YES | YES | ||
| 2600MHz (FDD) | YES | YES | |||
| 2600MHz (TDD) | YES | YES | YES |
*Airtel is still not sure if it will get 800 or 700 MHz
In the 32% remaining spectrum, Intracom applied and was awarded over 4 new frequency bands to operate but keep in mind that this spectrum can also be used for other technologies like 4G. Both Lyca Mobile and UTCL applied for the basic low back and mid-band 5G spectrums at 700-800 MHz and 2600 -3500 MHz. Applicants shall be required to pay the applicable fees in full, as outlined in the Uganda Communications (Fees and Fines) (Amendment) Regulations, 2023, S.I. No. 24 of 2023.
5G spectrum applicants had to present to UCC a clear roll-out and business plan before they could be awarded any spectrum. The regulator required telecom companies to have a five-year roll-out plan and should highlight the specific milestones, timelines, and indicators to measure progress for the realization of the proposed network and/or expansion.
Before UCC would assign this new 5G spectrum, telecom companies had to commit to the following when it comes to data costs by 2025;
- Provide broadband internet access in more than 90% geographical area of Uganda within 5 years of the latest NTO license grant.
- Provide average street-level DL internet speed of ≥25Mbps on handheld mobile devices in Kampala & surrounding areas by 2025
- Provide average outdoor DL internet speed of ≥15Mbps on handheld mobile devices in all other district centers within an 8 km radius by 2025
- Reducing the cost of 1GB of mobile internet to less than UGX 2,100
- Reducing the cost of 1Mbps of fixed wireless internet connection to less than UGX 106,400
Updated article with correct table
