Broadband policy framework for Ghana: Into the policy makers’ minds
Before I could get my response to a query I sent to the National Communication Authority (NCA), in which I asked, among others, the question “ does Ghana have a broadband policy in place?”, the Minister of Communication, Dr Omane-Boamah, had come out that the government is going to introduce a Broadband policy.
Advertisement
It is, however, better late than never; we are within range of the United Nations digital target requirements that all countries come up by 2015 with their broadband policies.
Broadband definition across the world is varied and a relative concept. However, one is always sure that it is ubiquitous, “always on”, interactive high speed connection.
The ITU General Secretary, Dr Hamadoun Toure , has stated that “ in the 21st century, affordable broadband access to the Internet is becoming as vital to the social and economic development as networks like transport, water and power”.
He has in this regard requested the United Nations to adjust their broadband speed requirements. Indeed, the ITU latest broadband Commission 2012 report estimates that 10 per cent of the broadband penetration could boost a developing country such as Ghana’s GDP by 1.38 per cent
In arriving at broadband definition for a country, the “Broadband Ecosystem” factors are taken into consideration and the four key elements considered are: Broadband and PC penetration level, access technology availability, services and content delivery.
According to recent ITU broadband Commission report on Ghana, fixed broadband(wired) subscription per 100 inhabitants for 2011 was 0.3 per cent and active broadband was 4.3 per cent (ituworld telecommunication/ ict indicator database). The percentage of Ghana’ population using the Internet was pegged at 14.1 per cent .
In their considerations, I expect policy makers to not only consider available statistic and other data available to them but also international protocols and guidelines in their benchmarking permutations. For instance, the ITU has a “dream big” policy recommendation that broadband access target in the world to be a minimum of 20 Mbps by 2020 and at a cheaper rate of $20 per month.
I expect a consultative national policy that resonates national aspirations, practical and forward looking.
A policy framework of growth path with strategic dual track approach indicating clear guidelines to making broadband a universal access/service in the medium to long term. It can be modeled on the India gradual approach. The new “National telecom policy 2012” of India has pegged the broadband speed from 256 Kbps to 512Kbps with a growth path by 2015 2 Mbps, 20 Mbps 2020 and 100 Mbps thereafter.
I envision the policy document to be launched by the president underlying his firmest of assurance of his full commitment to driving a “high speed Broadband Ghana” roadmap. The Obama administration proposed the “National Broadband Plan” in 2010 in an effort to speed up the broadband penetration in the US.An executive order to accelerate the construction of broadband infrastructure throughout the US was released. A proposed body,”Broadband strategy Council” is to coordinate its plan activities.
In Australia, the government has established the Ministry of Broadband Communication and Digital Economy with Similar plans over see it broadband plan. same in The UK and other parts of the world. These scenarios are to highlight the “Broadband movement” across the world and Ghana having benefit of these models of practices can’t afford to a cause of action.
The increase in high capacity networks is the veritable game-changer and I expect the government to initiate an ambitious plan to invite investment in the access infrastructure networks to drive growth in the sector with appropriate incentives encourage widespread investor interest.
I am aware of the national Fiber Optic ring Broadband Infrastructure Project that is expected to connect the Ministries, Department and agencies (MDA) and district capitals to enhance e-goverment and other government services . There are also four landing sites as yet involving four operators , Vodafone SAT-3, Main One, Glo One, MTN WACS, and the yet to arrive Espresso ACE .These redundant fiber infrastructure could be aggregated for meaningful national development.
As yet, Vodafone(then Ghana telecom) is the main licensed operator to deliver last mile services and will use its “priori” to bully other operators from deploying services to the general public.
I expect policy makers to come out with clear policy guidelines recommending the establishment of a separate body to harmonise, regulate and license ”Ghana Broadband infrastructure” for national development. This will allow NCA to focus on its core mandate. Elsewhere in the world , special attention has been given to broadband infrastructure and it is a ready information for policy thinkers to verify.
This will allow for an even grounds with right environment for fair competition and drive down prices from insane levels , better services and meet out national aspirations .since the copper loop infrastructure has seen a continuous downward trend in penetration across the world, government should be bold to come out with guidelines to make fiber optic infrastructure the basic last mile design requirement for in new estate development and business premises.
This is where Fiber to the Curb(FTTC) comes in handy to deliver “true” broadband.
I call for an independent, fair and firm regulator that shall protect customers from operator cartel and manipulation. Recently an operator with a significant market power(SMP) in the basic telephones services and considered a “ priori” in the “Ghana telecom policy 2005” arbitrarily increased its fixed broadband price to an almost 100 hundred per cent and in addition capped the capacity allocated to customers.
There was a national outcry but the regulator was not available to respond to customer concerns. I expect policymakers to come out with clear guidelines that set and monitor quality of service targets with the telecom players. Customers demand an end to their deceptive and propaganda mantra of “up to” service speed that customers do not have any way of verifying its authenticity.
Policymakers should encourage indigenous entrepreneurs in the telecommunication sector such as RLG and others with incentives to find their feet on the slanted terrain of telecommunication market.’ I also expect some policy on gender equity especially focusing on the female folks.
I should, perhaps, offer this advice to the policy makers to, as early as practical, review and amend the current outdated telecom policy document 2005 to respond to current trends. In terms of the current market dynamics it is begging for a review. In fact, it should be the source from which all information and communication technology legislation, act and policies such as the current broadband policy under discussion should flow from; it should be the “mother” of all telecommunication matters.
For instance, the current telecommunication policy had some clear guideline establishing bodies like NITA ,GIFTEL etc,. but from which comes the broadband policy document? There is no congruity. Of course, it can stand on its own, but we are talking about a “coherent whole” of a national telecommunication policy where any policy document has its source from the telecom policy.
In the world of ICT, national telecom policies should be dynamic and forward looking; anyone who picks the telecom policy document should know any information about the telecommunication ecosystem of Ghana telecom. Some detailed information may require additional document and that should be easy to come by.
Article by Annang Ebenezer
Writer’s email: [email protected]