Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Sam George, says he’s holding firm to a June 2025 deadline for the launch of 5G services in Ghana by the Next Generation Infrastructure Company (NGIC).
What He’s Saying
“They initially told me May at MWC in Barcelona. They changed it to June. That’s the date I’m sticking with,” Sam George said on The Point of View with Bernard Avle.
“I’m not a fan of terminating contracts, but all options will be on the table,” George said, adding that license renegotiation or restructuring is possible.
Catch up quick:
- NGIC was granted a 10-year exclusive license in 2024 to build and operate a universal 4G/5G network across Ghana.
- No other operator can roll out 5G without going through NGIC until 2034.
- NGIC officially launched in November 2024 with an expectation to roll out by December 2024.
- So far, NGIC has 16 5G-ready cell sites, and its core network has been inspected by the National Communications Authority (NCA).
What’s next
According to Sam George, NGIC has promised:
- 350 cell sites by June.
- 50 of them 5G-capable, focused on Accra (200–250 sites) and Kumasi (100–150 sites).
Why it matters
George insists Ghana can’t be “held to ransom,” and the NCA has the legal authority to amend NGIC’s license if delays persist.
The roadblocks
Techfocus24 reports that regulatory bottlenecks are also stalling NGIC’s rollout, including:
- Spectrum interference issues
- SIM and PLMN approvals for testing
- Clarity for ISP connections
- Final network certification by the NCA
Source: Ghana News Online
