TELECOMS consortiums, including the state-run firm Celcom, have paid over $1bn for four mobile phone licences in Nigeria. Three foreign-backed consortiums, including MTN Nigeria, each paid the asking price of $285m a licence within the requisite 14 days since an auction held here last month by the state-run telecoms regulatory agency, the National Communications Commission (NCC). A fourth licence granted to Celcom was also set at $285m. Five consortiums had participated in the bidding when it opened on January 17 at $100m a licence. – AFP