Call out telcos if you don’t have 5G by Dec – Ursula at historic launch

Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, has urged telecommunications companies to deliver efficient 5G connectivity to clients following the launch of the service in Ghana today, November 1, 2024.

“If you live in the initial 5G catchment area and still can’t access 5G by December, call out your network operator because they have to make it available to you,” she stated.

At the unveiling ceremony in Accra, she highlighted the government’s efforts to foster a supportive environment by partnering with seven industry players to create shared infrastructure for 5G services.

Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful noted that this initiative aims to provide affordable, high-speed mobile broadband across Ghana, ensuring that no internet service provider has an excuse for failing to deliver 5G services by December.

“We have deliberately chosen as a matter of policy to build a shared neutral wholesale network to deliver 5G because of the negative fallout from previous spectrum auctions in Ghana.

“NGIC has been granted exclusivity for 10 years to enable them to invest in rolling out the 4G/5G infrastructure nationwide in the shortest possible time for all network operators to use to deliver services to their subscribers.

“Our commitment is to provide the highest standard of 5G infrastructure that meets the needs of Ghana’s evolving digital landscape,” the minister underscored.

She revealed that the 5G service is expected to bring numerous benefits to Ghanaians, including faster data speeds, lower latency, and increased connectivity.

“We are dedicated to the long-term success of this platform, ensuring that 5G remains accessible, reliable, and transformative for every Ghanaian. This launch marks a critical step in realising our vision of a connected Ghana where opportunity reaches every corner of the nation.”

She announced that the rollout will begin in major cities like Accra, Kumasi, and Takoradi, with plans to extend to additional urban centres by the end of 2024.

This rollout will allow citizens to access digital services—such as healthcare, education, and financial services—more efficiently and effectively.

Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful stressed the essential role of educational institutions in preparing the next generation of tech-savvy Ghanaians.

She noted that initiatives to enhance digital literacy and skills development were underway to ensure the youth could harness the opportunities 5G would present.

“We are constructing a digital youth hub at the University of Ghana, which should serve as a prime hub for the development of Ghana’s specific 5G use cases in all the critical sectors of the economy,” she added.

The minister further explained that the government was implementing data protection protocols aligned with international standards to secure user information as 5G becomes more accessible.

This effort, she added, includes end-to-end encryption and advanced cybersecurity measures to guard against potential security breaches.

The innovative model enhances the accessibility and affordability of 5G services, enabling Ghana to bridge the digital divide and ensure that both urban and rural communities benefit from high-speed connectivity.

This initiative aligns with Ghana’s Digital Agenda 2030 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, representing a significant step in the country’s journey toward becoming a digitally advanced nation.

With the launch theme, “5G: Accelerating Ghana’s Digital Transformation,” this initiative aims to establish a foundation for unparalleled connectivity that drives innovation and promotes inclusive economic growth.

5G service provision and a consortium of companies

5G service has been described as the Fifth Generation of Wireless Technology, which offers higher internet speed and higher upload and download speed with more consistent connections and improved capacity.

5G networks run on the same radio frequencies as their predecessors, 3G, 4G, and 4G LTE networks, which previously served most mobile phones worldwide.

However, improvements in speed, latency, and bandwidth give 5G networks shorter download and upload times, stronger connectivity, and better reliability, making them the natural successor to 4G technology.

It is said to be 10 times faster than the 4G Plus service.