NCA urges telecos to extend 3G services to rural areas
The National Communication Authority (NCA) has authorised mobile network operators with second generation (2G) licenses to deploy Universal Mobile Telecommunication Systems (UMTS), which is a 3G technology, to unserved and underserved communities in the country.
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This forms part of the NCA’s efforts to ensure that all Ghanaians get access to internet services and also increase data access to areas which are not covered by MNOs with 3G services.
This was disclosed by the Acting Director General of the NCA, Mr Joe Anokye at a media briefing in Accra.
He said the deployment of the 3G technology would be carried out using the 900MHz frequency band which is originally assigned for the deployment of 2G services in the country.
“Authorisation is free because they have already paid for 900MHz licence. We are just allowing them to leverage on new technology within a licence they have already paid for,” he stated.
“With this, we are reaching out to a lot of people using the same infrastructure and the same base station,” he added.
He said communication was essential for development so ultimately this would go a long way to support government initiatives to bring development to the rural areas.
He said the NCA would implement this initiative in collaboration with the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications which was aimed at promoting digital inclusion.
UMTS technology
Mr Anokye said the UMTS technology would make it easier for the telcos to expand their data coverage with minimum costs, especially as they could be deployed over a large area at less costs.
“The UMTS technology will open up space for telcos to reach out to folks in areas where hitherto they will not because of the costs in deploying base stations there,” he said.
“With this, we will be promoting digital inclusion in Ghana and in the process, customers in unserved and underserved areas will get immense benefits as they will see improvements in their access to data,” he noted.
Additionally, he pointed out that since the move would lead to the maximisation of spectrum use, it would subsequently lead to enhanced and consistent 3G user experience and reduce 3G coverage black spots.
“The technology will also introduce choice and competition for the consumer while increasing data penetration, improve spectral efficiency and improve handover problems,” he said.
“So you can tell that at the heart of this decision is the consumer and we will monitor the deployment to ensure that all these benefits will come to fruition,” he added.
Application process
He said the authorisation to provide 3G services in the 900MHz band would be granted for specific areas upon application by a telco.
He, however, indicated that the NCA would give regard to unserved and underserved areas in considering the applications.
“MNOs will receive authorisation and not a licence and the authorisation will be for the unexpired term of the applicants 2G licence,” he stated.
Telcos who are interested are required to submit an application to the NCA indicating the selected unserved or underserved area together with a proposed roll-out plan for the indicated communities.
The NCA will thereafter review the application and confirm status of indicated communities after which the authoriation would be given.