At a news conference in Accra, the Ghana government finally launched its much anticipated 5G high-speed internet service.
Details
NextGen Infraco (NGIC), a consortium formed between the government of Ghana and seven other partners including Ascend Digital, K-NET, Radisys, Nokia, and Tech Mahindra, is the backbone of the new 5G shared platform.
Other partners in the consortium include two telcos – AT Ghana and Telecel Ghana.
NGIC acquired the spectrum from Ghanaian regulators at $125 million and has exclusive rights to provide 5G network in Ghana for the next 10 years.
Digging Deeper
Through NGIC’s wholesale infrastructure model, telecommunications providers will be able to expand their service offerings without the need to build their own 5G infrastructure.
Between The Lines
MTN was reportedly in discussions to be part of the consortium but it hasn’t been confirmed if they will be part of the phased rollout to customers.
MTN was set to begin its own 5G pilot in 2022 but canceled its rollout for undisclosed reasons.
What Happens Next
NGIC will begin a phased rollout of the 5G service starting in major cities such as Accra, Kumasi, and Takoradi, followed by additional urban centers by the end of 2024.
Full nationwide coverage, including rural areas, is targeted for completion by 2026.
The Bigger Picture
Ghana will become the 5th country to launch its 5G service in the West African region after countries including Gambia, Cote d’Ivoire, Togo, and Nigeria launched their services earlier.
