Page 93 - SAMENA Trends - October-December 2024

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Ghana and Gambia to Sign Free Roaming Agreement

Ghana's National Communications this initiative is to reduce the cost of region,” he said. Prof. Yeboah-Boateng
Authority (NCA), in conjunction with telecommunications services for citizens went on to say that, in addition to cost
the Ministry of Communications and traveling between Ghana and the Gambia, savings, collaboration represents a shared
Digitalization and Mobile Network promoting seamless communication commitment to creating an inclusive,
Operators (MNOs), will sign a and strengthening economic and social seamless communication system that
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) ties. During his opening remarks, Prof. promotes economic growth, tourism,
with The Gambia to enhance the Ezer Osei Yeboah-Boateng, NCA's Deputy and unity in West Africa. Solo Sima,
implementation of ECOWAS free foaming Director General (Technical Operations) Deputy Director General of The Gambia
initiative. The NCA said in a statement that and leader of the Ghana delegation, Public Utilities Regulatory Authority,
the MOU will allow MNOs to start technical stated that the meeting is a significant expressed optimism at the meeting that
and regulatory negotiations, which will step toward regional integration. He the ECOWAS free roaming Initiative would
eventually lead to the implementation and acknowledged Ghana's leadership in help to connect Africa while also creating
deployment of the ECOWAS roaming laws strengthening regional connectivity, employment and business opportunities.
in the first half of 2025. The Ghanaian highlighting existing bilateral roaming He asked regulators to evaluate the
and The Gambian delegations have been agreements with Côte d'Ivoire, Togo, implications of emerging technologies,
meeting since Tuesday, and the meeting and Benin. “This collaboration with The such as 5G, while keeping agreements
concludes today with the signing of the Gambia marks the next phase in extending flexible and consumer-focused.
MOU. According to the NCA, the aim of affordable telecom services across the

CRTC Sets Rates that Will Allow for Greater Choice of Internet Services

Canadian Radio-television and Telecom-
munications Commission (CRTC) decision
sets interim wholesale rates that compet-
itors will pay large telephone companies to
access their modern fiber networks. The
decision will increase choice of affordable
Internet services at the higher speeds
Canadians expect. This is the latest step in
implementing the CRTC’s policy to increase
Internet competition in Canada. In
November 2023, following an expedited
process, the CRTC provided competitors
with access to fibre networks in Ontario
and Quebec, where competition had
declined most significantly. In that
decision, the CRTC set interim rates that
have been successfully used by compet-
itors to offer new options in those using the CRTC’s long-standing approach, Quebec. “Today’s decision will provide
provinces. In August 2024, following a these rates are based on a thorough Canadians with new options for Internet,
comprehensive review and a week-long analysis of detailed costing information television, home phone, and smart home
public hearing, the CRTC broadened the filed by the large telephone companies. services. We are already seeing compet-
access to the large telephone companies” The rates reflect the actual costs of itors using fibre access to bring new offers
fiber networks across Canada. In that building fiber networks and will allow in Ontario and Quebec, and we look forward
decision, the CRTC required that access be companies to continue investing in to this broader access benefiting even
given by February 13, 2025, and committed high-quality networks. The rates are more Canadians.”
to issuing interim rates this year. Today’s consistent with the ones already being
decision sets those rates. Established used by competitors in Ontario and

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