By Maximus Ametorgoh, a Technology Analyst, has raised alarm regarding Ghana’s response to the recent internet disruptions.
He highlighted that the ongoing situation is inflicting financial losses on both telecommunication networks and their subscribers.
Since Thursday, March 14, Mobile Network Operations (MNOs) have experienced disruptions, leaving numerous Ghanaians without internet access.
In an Eyewitness News interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Citi FM on Monday, Mr Ametorgoh stated that “I am not sure we have handled it well because the telcos are losing money. The users and the subscribers of their services are also losing money.
“We can’t say we are in a good place because everybody is struggling to get back online and running with their business or whatever they do online.”
Meanwhile, the Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, revealed that the government intends to expedite the licensing of satellite firms to act as a backup for mobile network operators in response to the service disruptions.
Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful shared this strategy while providing an update on the situation to Parliament in Accra on Monday.
“With regard to the use of satellite as an alternative, it is important to note that the bandwidth of a satellite backup for network operators cannot replace the capacity that has been lost due to the outage. Satellite backup for consumers is more feasible.
“However, the cost is relatively much higher than the terrestrial solutions. Immediate initiatives that the government will undertake are that we will license satellite gateway air stations, London rights, and satellite air station networks. One web has already been licensed.
“Starlink is in the process of being licensed, and other operators are being encouraged to land in Ghana. We must also invest in operationalizing RASCOM, the regional African satellite company instead of each company of each country going it alone.”
