Ghana’s National Communications Authority (NCA) has announced the introduction of technology neutrality for non-significant market power operators, describing the move as ‘a significant step towards correcting market imbalances and boosting consumer choice in the telecommunications sector’. The initiative will grant Vodafone Ghana and AT (formerly AirtelTigo) authorisation to re-farm their spectrum assignments in the 900MHz, 1800MHz and 2100MHz bands to provide 4G services, subject to paying an annual premium. The regulator hopes this will create a level playing field, stimulate investment in network infrastructure, and improve 4G service quality.
Technology neutrality is the latest remedy to be applied by the NCA following MTN Ghana’s classification as an operator with SMP in June 2020. Other measures implemented by the regulator include asymmetrical interconnection rates; the removal of MTN’s differential on-net/off-net pricing for voice and data traffic; and national roaming agreements allowing rival operators to use MTN’s networks in selected areas.
According to TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database, Vodafone Ghana activated 800MHz LTE services in March 2019 and has since extended coverage to the country’s main towns and cities, while AT has yet to deploy its own 4G network. By contrast, MTN Ghana’s LTE network, launched in 2016, now provides population coverage of 99.3%.