Airtel Africa, said on Thursday that it had renewed its Megahertz Spectrum license fees for 900 and 1800 MHz for 10 years, paying N71.6 billion to the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC.

NCC,Airtel Sim card

This is also as the Telecommunications starts registering its customers for the national identity number, (NIN) across the country.

According to Telecom, the NCC has approved the renewal of spectrum licenses at 900 and 1800 MHz for its subsidiary Airtel Nigeria.

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Spectrum is the radio frequencies used for telecommunications over airwaves.

Raghunath Mandava, CEO of Airtel Africa, said spectrum licenses would expire on November 30, 2021.

He said that following this request, the NCC later granted Airtel Nigeria the opportunity to renew its license in the 900MHz and 1800MHz bands for a period of 10 years, from December 1, 2021 to November 30, 2031.

"Airtel NG spent N 71.6 billion ($189m) license renewal fees, Under the terms of the spectrum license," Mendova said.

I am pleased to announce that our application to renew our spectrum licenses in Nigeria in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands for ten years has been approved by the NCC.

This is our largest market. We are concentrated on closing the digital divide, and expanding our broadband capacity in the country. 

From Airtel NG, and the Group, I would like to thank the Nigerian Government so much, and the NCC for their support, and cooperation in this big process," he said.

NIN REGISTRATION

The telecommunications company also announced that it has begun the NIN registration exercise at its points of sale across the country.

This follows the federal government's approval for the telecom company to register citizens.

The teleco says that designated retail outlets in Lagos, and Abuja are now fully operational to register Nigerians for the NIN exercise, it is currently working to expand its NIN presence to cover more areas and states.

Also, some of the centers Airtel selected for ongoing NIN registration include: Transcorp Hilton Abuja, Airtel showrooms at Carpet Plaza, and Kano Crescent at Wuse 2.

Others are Airtel Express Point,  Victoria Island, Airtel showroom in Surulere, Lagos - Airtel showroom, Yaba - Airtel Ogba showroom and Airtel showroom, Oba Akran, Ikeja.

Segun Ogunsanya, CEO and Managing Director of Airtel Nigeria, he applauded the Minister of Communications, and Digital Economy, Dr. Ali Pantami, for extending the registration footprints, and taking definitive measures to facilitate the NIN registration process for Nigerians.

Airtel is always looking for opportunities to partner, and cooperate with the Nigerian government on activities that will make the life of Nigerians better, and easier.

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He also said, As a law abiding, and responsible corporate citizen, we are always prepared to go extra mile for our esteemed stakeholders. 

And that is why we are happy to partner with the Federal Govt. and, the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, on citizen's registration exercise.”