Yesterday, the three bidders ran the historic race for the soul of 5G in Nigeria as they bid for two licences on offer by NCC at the Hilton Hotel in Abuja, the same venue where MTN and Airtel had in 2001 won digital mobile licences to launch commercial operations in the country.
MTN, Airtel, and Mafab competed cash-for-cash for only two licence slots offered for sale at a $197.4 million reserve price by NCC. They vied for the two 3.5GHz spectrum band slots for the deployment of 5G services in Nigeria starting from 2022.
Technology Times checks at the weekend revealed that Mafab is one of the technology subsidiaries of Althani Group owned by Dr Musbahu Mohammad Bashir.
Bashir is Chairman of Althani Group of Companies, and Cobalt International Services Limited since 2004, according to his bio-data reviewed by Technology Times has vast experience of over two decades in General Management, Leadership, and Engineering. He has attained several certifications from high-profile institutions like American University, London, Harvard Business School, USA.
Dr Musbahu Mohammad Bashir, Althani Group Chairman and owners of Mafab Communications Limited, one of the three bidders in the Nigeria 5G auction holding in Abuja.
Althani Investment, the private equity firm of the Althani Group “provides financial backing and makes investments in the private equity of startup or operating companies through a variety of affiliated investment strategies including leveraged buyout, venture capital, and growth capital.”
Apart from its diversified interest across several industries, Bashir’s Althani Group technology business subsidiaries like Mafab Communications Limited, Malband Communications Limited and Data Analytical Platforms Limited.
Mafab Communications Limited was incorporated to transact the business of Information Technology Services and Telecommunications. It is licensed to provide and operate International Data Access Services Gateway Service.
Mafab Communications Limited, which provides International Gateway for interconnection of Voice, Video and Data Service termination between parties and also provides a platform for worldwide Interconnectivity extends its footprints into IT services, internet services products, internet cafes, hardware and software and software procurements, database development and management systems analysts, computer programmers and computer operators, carry on the business of installation, maintenance, repairs and service of computers and electronic products, among others.
Malband Communications Limited, which carries out ICT Consultancy services, e-Learning, research, data processing and statistical analysis is also licensed by NCC for Value Added Services (VAS).
Its VAS business extends into Entertainment, Marketing, Advertising, Call Centre services, among others.
On the other hand, Data Analytical Platforms Limited is engaged in Internet content development, networking, maintenance, and servicing of computers and contract, artificial intelligence (AI), software development, system manufacturing or a assembly, website development and internet service provider (ISP), IT solution providers and computer business service, among others.
Althani Group’s business interests are in several diversified subsidiaries in technology, real estate, aviation, oil and gas that has seen the group spin-off Pelican Air Services Limited, Cryogenic Industries Limited, Clearview Apartments, Data Analytical Platforms Limited, Eman Homes & Estate and Althani Investment Limited and Takaful Insurance. Others include Mafab Communications Limited, Malband Communications Limited, Holborn Oil & Gas International, Althani Oil and Gas Limited, and Althani Shelters Limited.
