The government has announced a partnership with seven industry players to develop shared infrastructure aimed at delivering affordable 5G mobile broadband services across Ghana.
The seven partners are Ascend Digital, K-NET, Radisys, Nokia, Tech Mahindra, and two telecom companies – AT Ghana and Telecel Ghana.
Together, these partners have established the Next-Gen Infrastructure Company (NGIC), which has been awarded a 5G license. The NGIC is expected to launch 5G services across Ghana within the next six months, with plans for subsequent expansion to other parts of Africa.
NGIC will be the first 5G Mobile Broadband Shared Infrastructure Entity to build a nationwide 4G/5G network. The company will also collaborate with the telcos to launch affordable 4G/5G-enabled fixed wireless access customer premises equipment (FWA CPEs) and smartphones in Ghana within this calendar year.
The partnership aims to improve the lives of Ghanaians by introducing digital services in education, healthcare, and digital payment transactions through peer-to-peer (P2P), peer-to-merchant (P2M), and merchant-to-merchant (M2M) systems. This initiative is expected to reduce the digital divide and promote financial inclusion.
Moreover, the multi-player partnership will support NGIC in the full deployment of network infrastructure and associated services. Communications service providers (CSPs) aim to address both enterprise and consumer markets with enhanced digital services. Tech Mahindra will contribute by building a Cloud Native Core Network powered by leading original equipment manufacturer (OEM) platforms.
NGIC plans to adopt India’s successful model of affordable handsets, digital platforms, and localized content and applications. The goal is to replicate this high-speed mobile data model across Africa, starting with Ghana.
Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful said, “The creation of a shared 5G Mobile Broadband Infrastructure is critical for delivering affordable, high-speed data access to the people of Ghana and help achieve our Digital Ghana vision. The creation of NGIC as a neutral, shared platform, accessible to all mobile network operators and tower companies, will help to expand 5G services rapidly across the country. We are inspired by India’s digital infrastructure and low-cost mobile data usage and keen to replicate it in Ghana.”
Senior vice president, Middle East and Africa at Nokia, Mikko Lavanti said, “Ghana holds immense potential for mobile broadband growth on the back of an unmet demand for connectivity. Establishing an Open Access Network like NGIC will foster innovation and create numerous opportunities across various sectors. We are proud of our partnership with NGIC in helping Ghana realize its digital vision and unlock its full potential.”
CEO of Radisys, Arun Bhikshesvaran said, “Connectivity for all, through the use of open and disaggregated multi-access solutions, is a key component of Radisys’ initiatives to bridge the digital divide. By bringing Fixed Wireless Access alongside 4G and 5G cellular services to help drive economic growth and digital inclusion, Radisys looks forward to helping Ascend and NGIC build a disruptive and affordable shared broadband infrastructure across Ghana. In addition, our communications platform and digital applications will help create new digital experiences that empower the Ghanian community and foster sustainable and inclusive development.”
Chief technology officer, Telecom & Global Business Head, Network Services, Tech Mahindra, Manish Mangal said, “Our partnership with Next Gen Infra Co. is based on a shared vision for digital connectivity and providing Network-as-a-Service to innovate and bring cost efficiency to the telecom market in Ghana and Africa. Echoing our promise to scale at speed, we aim to rapidly advance operations by building a Cloud Native Core Network with leading OEM platforms combined with Tech Mahindra’s automation platform, netOps.ai. Together with NGIC, we will support the complete network infrastructure deployment and introduce high-speed 4G/5G services in the region.”
CEO of Ascend Digital and Executive Director, NGIC, Harkirit Singh said, “NGIC intends to launch its wholesale 4G/ 5G Network as a Service and make it available to all mobile network operators within the next six months. We have proven strengths of our partners – Radisys, Nokia, and TechM, to scale the network and deliver affordable mobile broadband services to all Ghanaians. We intend to gradually expand to other parts of Africa as well. We will tap the capital markets and bring in strategic investors as and when required.”
COO of Telecel Ghana, Mohamad Ghaddar said, “NGIC’s neutral and ‘Network as a Service’ model creates a level-playing field for all telecom operators in Ghana. As an MNO our focus will be to enhance customer experience through innovative services, localized content , applications, and affordable devices. We are excited to be part of this venture and looking forward to work with NGIC in a shared vision of universal access to broadband and transform Ghana into Digital Economy”.
CEO of AT Ghana, Leo Skarlatos said, “This partnership will enable us to leverage a neutral, shared platform and scale up our services across Ghana. We are confident that our customers will experience enhanced network quality and affordable services that they deserve. We look forward to working with NGIC and the MOCD, to contribute to the country’s digital transformation agenda.”