Ursula Owusu-Ekuful Says 5G Service To Be Operational In Ghana By November 1, 2024
- Communications Minister Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has announced the government's plan to roll out 5G network services
- The Minister said the roll-out would start on November 1, 2024 and said necessary infrastructure had been sorted out
- Owusu-Ekuful added that the roll-out of 5G internet services in the country would bring many benefits to Ghanaians
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Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, the Communications and Digitalisation Minister, has announced November 1, 2024, as the roll-out date for 5G service in Ghana.
The Minister made the disclosure on Peace FM on October 2, 2024, explaining that the necessary structures have been set up for the new services to commence.
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She had earlier explained that the rollout of the 5G internet service would benefit Ghanaians by offering faster data speeds, lower latency, and increased internet connectivity.
The Minister said 5G internet services would also improve access to digital services, including education, healthcare and financial services, making them more effective and efficient.
Ghana’s 5G service being built by Ambani
Asia’s richest man, Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani, has been part of the move to develop shared infrastructure for affordable 5G mobile broadband services in Ghana.
The government granted Ambani's Radisys Corp a license and will supply pivotal network infrastructure for Ghana-based Next-Gen InfraCo.
Next-Gen InfraCo consists of seven companies: Radisys, Ascend Digital, Nokia, K-NET, Tech Mahindra, AT Ghana, and Telecel Ghana.
Bloomberg reported that Next-Gen InfraCo plans to start operations by the end of 2024 and will offer 5G broadband services to mobile operators and internet service providers in Ghana.
5G subscriptions are expected to reach 180 million in Africa by 2029.
The positive economic outlook and innovative regulation in building out network coverage are the main drivers of 5G growth on the continent.
Ursula says MTN not exempted from 5G
Ursula Owusu-Ekufu also clarified that MTN has not been marginalised in the 5G rollout plans.
Speaking on Citi FM, she said MTN would eventually be involved after initial concerns that Ghana's biggest telecommunications company was not part of the deal.
She also dismissed the claims that the telecomms provider was deliberately excluded from the deal in a bid to curb its monopoly.
“All network operators in the country are being offered the opportunity to take up equity in this Next-Gen InfraCo, all of them, including MTN.”
NDC MPs kick against new 5G deal
YEN.com.gh reported that the Minority in Parliament has questioned the legality of the 5G deal awarded to Next Gen Infraco.
In a statement, the minority said that the lack of parliamentary approval renders the entire transaction unlawful, null and void.
The minority claimed that some entities in the consortium were 'mushrooms' under the ownership of some 'ministerial cronies'.
Proofread by Bruce Douglas, senior copy editor at YEN.com.gh
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Source: YEN.com.gh
