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HomeTech NewsGhana launches nationwide shared 4G/5G network to transform digital connectivity

Ghana launches nationwide shared 4G/5G network to transform digital connectivity

Ghana has officially launched its first nationwide shared 4G/5G network, a groundbreaking milestone announced today, November 1, 2024.

This ambitious rollout, spearheaded by the government, follows a policy shift that awarded a license to a consortium of seven companies—known as the Next Generation Infrastructure Company (NGIC)—to create a shared infrastructure for 4G and 5G connectivity across the country.

The NGIC comprises local companies Ascend Digital (Ghana) and K-NET (Ghana), along with global partners Nokia (Finland), Tech Mahindra (India), and Radisys (India), and two major telecom operators in Ghana: AT Ghana and Telecel Ghana. Notably, the Ghanaian government holds a minority stake in the NGIC, though it has no direct financial contribution.

This approach marks a departure from the traditional auction model where licenses were typically awarded to the highest bidder, often leading to industry dominance by a single player while others struggled. By establishing NGIC as a single wholesale entity with flexible licensing terms, the government aims to expand high-speed, affordable connectivity nationwide.

At the launch, the Minister of Communication and Digitalisation, Hon. Ursula Owusu Ekufful, underscored the transformational potential of 5G in enhancing Ghana’s digital economy, highlighting its capacity to increase internet speeds by 100 times over 4G. “No citizen in Ghana should be left behind in the digital economy,” she affirmed.

The new network, she added, is designed to support faster downloads, develop consumer solutions, and drive innovation across various sectors.

The shared neutral wholesale network will serve as a backbone for operators to deliver high-speed services to their customers. Both Telecel Ghana and AT Ghana have already expressed interest in joining the network, and the government hopes MTN Ghana will soon follow.

Hon. Ursula Owusu pledged that the NGIC will expand coverage across the country within the next two years, noting that the rapid activation of initial sites—completed within five months—demonstrates the consortium’s capability and commitment to this vision.