Ghana’s Minister of Communications, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, has hinted that the government is considering plans to introduce a unified licensing regime for telecom operators, reports Myjoyonline.
Answering questions from the Appointment Committee of Parliament, Mrs Owusu-Ekuful said the move was in line with the administration’s goal to reduce the cost of internet access for consumers, hinting that such an option had become critical due to increasing data usage.
The proposed licensing regime would allow telecom operators to acquire one set of licences for both voice and data operations, rather than individual permits for each spectrum band.
“Moving forward, we will implement the unified licensing regime so that it doesn’t matter whether you have a 2G, 3G or 4G spectrum licence to deliver the services that you want for your customers,” she told the Appointment Committee.
Meanwhile, the Minister also confirmed that the government is in the process of taking over AirtelTigo, the country’s third-largest mobile network operator, after owners Bharti Airtel and Millicom International Cellular indicated last year that they wished to exit the Ghanaian market.
According to Prime News Ghana, ‘The government is in the process of taking over AirtelTigo. It is something we will do quickly. In view of the importance of this sector, the role it plays and the number of jobs that are supported by this entity, the government has decided that in the short term it will take over the assets and liabilities of AirtelTigo’, she told the Appointment Committee.
