The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Sam George has announced that government has approved technology neutrality (tech neutrality) for MTN Ghana to enable the telecom giant to deploy existing spectrum bands more flexibly to enhance network performance.
Additionally, he said the National Communications Authority (NCA) has been authorized to provide more spectrum resources to both MTN and Telecel Ghana as part of measures to enable telcos improve on their quality of service.
Minister disclosed these at a press briefing on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, where he acknowledged widespread public frustration over the deteriorating quality of service by mobile network operators.
“I have noted several complaints about the quality of service of almost all the network providers in the country,” he said.
He said government has therefore outlined a number of key interventions aimed at improving the quality of telecommunications services across the country, amid the rising complaints from consumers over poor network performance.
As part of those measure, he said “I have taken decisive policy decision to approve technology neutrality for MTN and additional spectrum for MTN Ghana. I have also directed the NCA to make an additional spectrum offer to Telecel Ghana,” the Minister stated.
He explained that the policy shift is aimed at equipping telecom providers with the resources needed to address network challenges and enhance the overall user experience.
“This will provide operators with more resources to improve their service offerings and quality of services,” he added.
Sam George also issued a firm caution to the service providers, making it clear that the days of unchecked underperformance were over.
He revealed that the NCA will begin strict monitoring within three months of the spectrum allocation, with sanctions to follow any failure to improve service quality.
“I wish to serve notice that the NCA will, within three months of the assignment of this additional spectrum, begin a rigorous enforcement of quality of service on the providers. Failure to provide an improvement and quality of service by the network operators will result in stiff fines,” he warned.
The Minister’s announcement marks one of the first major regulatory interventions since he assumed office earlier this year and signals a tougher stance on the telecom sector’s responsibility to provide reliable services to consumers.
The move is expected to be welcomed by millions of mobile phone users and data subscribers who have long complained about dropped calls, slow internet speeds and general network unreliability.
Concerns Raised
But industry watchers are concerned about this policy decision for a number of reasons.
MTN Ghana is a significant market power (SMP) controlling a very huge chunk of the telecoms market. All regulatory interventions to bridge the market imbalance has failed, and this new policy decision, which gives MTN more spectrum and allows them to re-farm existing spectrum to roll out higher technology only threatens to widen the market gab further.
The other concern is that the previous government licensed a new operator to build and operate a universal access platform for the rollout of 4G and 5G nationwide. MTN has refused to join that government-led arrangement, and this new policy decision by the new government breaks the back of the universal access license holder, as MTN has been granted more spectrum and tech neutrality, which gives them reason to avoid joining the shared platform.
Again, the new policy decision makes complete nonsense of the entire SMP policy implemented in June 2020, which Sam George criticized as a measure that was only punitive of MTN but failed to correct the market imbalance. It also threatens to weaken the two smaller telcos and other smaller ISPs even further. In effect, Sam George is further strengthening MTN and weakening all other industry players, including even NextGen Infraco (NGIC), the sole operator of the shared 4G/5G network.
But Sam George also hinted that government will soon announce a bold plan to rescue AT Ghana, which is drooling under a debt of over $400 million. No mention was made of Telecel Ghana, but it would appear the plan to rescue AT Ghana may include Telecel Ghana as well.
Source: techfocus24.com