Deputy Information Minister defends decision to disregard 5G network auctioning

Deputy Information Minister Sylvester Tetteh has clarified the government’s decision to forego an auction for the rollout of its 5G network, aiming instead for maximum benefit by collaborating with key industry players.

The Deputy Information Minister highlighted that the government chose to partner with established industry entities such as Ascend Digital, K-NET, Radisys, Nokia, Tech Mahindra, and other telecommunications companies based on past experiences.

In an interview with Citi News, the Bortianor Ngleshie-Amanfro MP emphasized that the special purpose vehicle (SPV) created for this initiative is the best way to ensure a productive outcome.

“We auctioned our 4G in 2015 and till now, we have had only 15 percent penetration for 4G usage, mainly in the city centre. So the rest of the country, where we are promoting digitalisation and inclusion, has been left out of the 4G space. If you have done this for nine years and attained only a 15 percent penetration rate, then there is a problem,” Tetteh explained.

“Now we are going for 5G. Are you going to auction it to the highest bidder or whoever qualifies to run it? The person picks it and plays off everybody from the industry, yet we don’t get the necessary benefit from the 5G. So the government says, no, we are not going to auction it, we will own part of it, and all the industry players should own part of it. So this special purpose vehicle was put together by all the industry players.”

Meanwhile, investigative journalist Manasseh Awuni Azure has called on the government to provide evidence supporting its claims regarding the decision not to auction the 5G network contract.
Source: Dailymailgh