Ursula: 5G Rollout Will Shape Ghana’s Telecom Future

Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has outlined the benefits Ghana seeks to get from the significant step towards achieving a fully digitised country by 2030 through a special purpose vehicle licensed to roll out 5G mobile broadband by the end of this year.

She said, the Next-Gen Infrastructure Company (NGIC), a consortium of companies, co-promoted by the government and private sector technology solutions entities including Ascend Digital, K-NET, Radisys, Nokia, Tech Mahindra, AT Ghana, and Telecel Ghana would accelerate national enablement programmes, reduce the digital divide, optimise capital expenditure and ensure efficient operating costs.

In addition, she revealed the NGIC network would provide a strong foundation for the government to offer new services to citizens through extended inclusion programmes, e-government applications, and enable unlimited opportunities for the private sector and the economy to grow.

“I am delighted and proud to announce a transformative partnership that marks a new era in digital connectivity for Ghana. The Government of Ghana, in collaboration with Ascend Digital, K-NET, Radisys, Nokia, and Tech Mahindra, supported by All Mobile Network Operators in Ghana, starting with AT and Telecel, has launched the Next-Gen InfraCo (NGIC). This initiative aims to deliver affordable 5G mobile broadband services across our nation, propelling us towards a fully digitized Ghana by 2030. I am pleased to inform you that this landmark partnership was signed in Mumbai, India, on Monday, 27th May 2024, the culmination of a process which started over 2 years ago.”

She added, “NGIC has been awarded a 5G license and is expected to launch 5G services across Ghana within the next six months, with plans for future expansion into other parts of Africa. The shared 4G and 5G infrastructure will be built by Nokia and Radisys, with IT architecture and integration provided by Microsoft and Tech Mahindra. This collaboration ensures that we leverage cutting-edge world-class expertise and technology to build a robust digital infrastructure.

“NGIC’s neutral hosting model and Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) offering will accelerate national enablement programs, reduce the digital divide, optimize capital expenditure, and ensure efficient operating costs while respecting Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) fundamentals by reducing environmental impact and carbon footprint. This innovative approach will make high-speed, secure, and seamless mobile services accessible to all Ghanaians.”

Advantage

The Ablekuma West lawmaker urged all citizens to take advantage of the infrastructure to learn, innovate and create solutions that would help to address contemporary challenges adding that, it would ensure that the country’s digital services are accessible and relevant to all Ghanaians.

“The partnership will enhance the lives of Ghanaians by introducing digital services in education, healthcare, and digital payment transactions, creating sustainable jobs for VAS operators and other tech entrepreneurs. This initiative aims to reduce the digital divide and promote financial inclusion. The partnership will support NGIC in the entire deployment of network infrastructure and associated services, as communications service providers aim to address both enterprise and consumer markets with enhanced digital services. I’ll urge our young people to take advantage of this infrastructure, learn, innovate and create solutions that address our contemporary challenges. This has the potential of creating numerous jobs in this sector and the prospects are very exciting.”

She added with excitement “NGIC plans to adopt India’s successful model of affordable handsets, digital platforms, and localized content to replicate high-speed mobile data access across Africa. This approach will ensure that our digital services are accessible and relevant to all Ghanaians.

“NGIC’s wholesale 5G service is expected to be launched in the last quarter of this year. The company plans to deploy 4,400 sites, aiming to reach 37 million end customers by 2028, with the goal of making Ghana 100% digital by 2030. Ghana has a mobile penetration rate of 115%, with an average monthly data usage expected to rise from 1.9 GB to 20 GB by 2028. Despite launching 4G in Ghana 9 years ago, the current 4G penetration rate is 15%, with the majority of the population using 3G networks. Through NGIC, we hope to increase the 4G penetration rate to 80% and beyond nationwide, with a total deployment of 3,200 and 1,200 4G and 5G sites, respectively, rolled out in the next 3 years.

“The existing 1,000 plus 4G-ready towers built by the Rural telephony Project, have significantly impacted 4G adoption in rural areas. NGIC expects to expand 4G services and enhance coverage in underserved areas to ensure that even the most remote communities have access to high-speed internet and the benefits it brings.”

Ghana joins a select group of African countries that have rolled out 5G services, including South Africa, Nigeria, and Egypt. The move is expected to position Ghana as a digital hub in West Africa and attract investment in the technology sector.