Telecel Ghana says it will launch commercial 5G services on its own network in December 2026, after the National Communications Authority (NCA) awarded the operator all three 2.3GHz spectrum lots it applied for.
“We plan to launch the service in December this year on our own network,” Telecel chief executive Moh Damush said, confirming one of the most aggressive 5G timelines yet set by a Ghanaian operator.
The award, reported from October 2, follows the government’s decision to end the exclusive wholesale 5G arrangement held by Next Gen InfraCo (NGIC). The shift opens Ghana’s 5G market to competition, with MTN Ghana also securing spectrum.
The move makes Telecel one of the first operators in Ghana licensed to own and run its own 5G network, rather than buying capacity from a single wholesale provider.
Telecel wins all three 2.3GHz 5G spectrum lots
The NCA granted Telecel Ghana the three lots in the 2.3GHz band that it bid for. The exact price Telecel paid has not been publicly disclosed.
Telecel, a partly state-owned operator, says the spectrum will allow it to build and run 5G on its own infrastructure.
Why Ghana ended the Next Gen InfraCo 5G exclusivity
Next Gen InfraCo was originally given exclusive wholesale 5G rights running to 2034. The consortium is linked to Radisys, a unit of Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries.
The model fell behind on rollout. As of March 2026, NGIC had installed only 49 5G sites across Ghana, far below the target of about 1,200 sites by 2027.
Authorities have now removed the exclusivity. Reports indicate NGIC can continue to operate as a wholesale 5G infrastructure provider, but without sole rights to the market.
Ghana 5G spectrum awards so far: Telecel vs MTN
The NCA opened spectrum in the 700MHz, 2.3GHz and 3GHz bands for competitive licensing. Here is where the awards stand:
- Telecel Ghana: all three lots in the 2.3GHz band (price not disclosed)
- MTN Ghana: two lots in the 700MHz band for US$100.9 million
- 3GHz band: allocation still ongoing, according to GhanaWeb
- NGIC 5G sites as of March 2026: 49
- Telecel 5G launch target: December 2026
- National coverage goal: 70% of the population by 2027
Goal Telecommunications was also reported to have qualified for the licensing process.
What Telecel’s 5G launch means for customers
For Telecel subscribers, 5G should mean faster mobile data speeds and lower latency once the network goes live and users have compatible handsets.
The NCA says the spectrum allocation supports “faster data speeds, lower latency and improved connectivity for consumers and businesses.” You can follow official updates on the National Communications Authority website.
Initial service is likely to focus on major urban centres such as Accra and Kumasi before expanding to other parts of the country.
Businesses that rely on heavy data use, including fintech, media and remote-work services, also stand to benefit from more competition between operators. The ICT sector has already been one of the fastest-growing parts of the economy, as GhanaTrends reported when Ghana’s economy grew 6% in Q2 2026 on the back of an ICT surge.
5G competition in Ghana: what it means for the market
Ending the single-wholesaler model is meant to speed up nationwide coverage and encourage more investment and innovation in the telecom sector.
Instead of all operators depending on one provider’s rollout, each licensee can now build its own network and compete on coverage, speed and pricing.
What happens next for Ghana’s 5G rollout
Telecel must now build out its network to meet its December launch target. Licensees are expected to provide outdoor mobile broadband coverage to at least 70% of Ghana’s population by 2027, including regional and district capitals.
The NCA is still completing allocation of the 3GHz band, which could bring further capacity to operators. Customers should watch for official launch announcements, coverage maps and 5G data bundle prices from Telecel in the coming weeks.
Key details at a glance
- Telecel Ghana plans to launch commercial 5G in December 2026 on its own network.
- The NCA awarded Telecel all three 2.3GHz spectrum lots it applied for.
- The price Telecel paid has not been disclosed.
- MTN Ghana won two 700MHz lots for US$100.9 million.
- Next Gen InfraCo’s exclusive wholesale 5G rights, which ran to 2034, have ended.
- NGIC had installed only 49 5G sites as of March 2026.
- Licensees must reach 70% population coverage by 2027.
FAQs
When will Telecel launch 5G in Ghana?
Telecel Ghana says it plans to launch commercial 5G services in December 2026 on its own network.
Which 5G spectrum did Telecel Ghana get?
@mrhenri4 5G is Now Available in Ghana with Telecel .Here’s What You Need to Know #5GGhana #TelecelGhana #5GServices #GhanaTech@Telecel Ghana ♬ RISER_01 – R.M （バランスクリエイター）
The National Communications Authority awarded Telecel all three lots it applied for in the 2.3GHz band. The fee paid has not been made public.
Why was Next Gen InfraCo’s 5G exclusivity ended?
NGIC fell behind on its rollout targets, with only 49 5G sites installed as of March 2026. The government ended its exclusivity to allow operators like Telecel and MTN to build their own 5G networks.
Telecel’s December target marks a major shift in Ghana’s 5G story, moving from a slow single-provider model to open competition. With MTN also holding 5G spectrum and the 3GHz allocation still underway, Ghanaians could see wider 5G availability and more choice before the 2027 coverage deadline.
