Industry News

ACCRA (Reuters) – Bharti Airtel  has merged with Millicom’s Tigo  in Ghana to become the country’s second largest mobile operator, the new company AirtelTigo said on Tuesday.

The merger, the first of its kind in Ghana, is a bid to increase share in the West African country where mobile phone use is one of the highest in Africa and competition for 37.4 million mobile phone users is fierce.

South Africa’s MTN  dominates with 47.5 percent of subscribers. Others include Britain’s Vodafone , Globacom of Nigeria and Sudan’s Sudatel Expresso.

The National Communications Authority regulator granted conditional approval for the merger in September, following an agreement in March by the two companies to combine their operations. .

AirtelTigo will serve around 10 million subscribers with revenues close to $300 million, it said in a statement.

Source: Reuters

The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications held its 6^th Annual General Meeting (AGM) at its offices in Labone-Accra on November 7, 2017.

The meeting was attended by members of the Chamber (which comprises licensed mobile network operators and Tower Infrastructure Companies) Chief Executives as well as their alternates.

The gathering saw the formal introduction of the new Chief Executive Officer, Ing. Kenneth Ashigbey and dealt with issues relating to the sustainability of the Telecoms Association and the mobile industry in general.

The Chamber’s AGM is held in Q3 of every year and gives shareholders the opportunity to dialogue on mobile industry issues as well selection of a new Governing Council Chair.

Below are pictures from the AGM……

ABOUT THE CHAMBER
The Chamber is an industry association and a private initiative established by the mobile network operators and Tower companies in Ghana to help direct telecommunications policy, legislation and regulation, and pursue research towards the development of telecommunications.

Accra, Nov. 7, GNA – Vodafone Ghana has partnered the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) to launch a not-for-profit “Big Data for Good” initiative aimed at using mobile-derived customer insights to make better predictions for sustainable development.

The concept will use data from mobile networks to make life-saving decisions, especially in a world which continues to be transformed by technology.

A release issued by Joakim Reiter of the Group External Affairs of Vodafone, and copied to the Ghana News Agency said Vodafone Ghana, Vodafone Group Foundation, GSS and Flowminder, a non-profit organisation have come together to lead the way in using “anonymised data” to track trends in population movements.

It said the data could be used for the purposes of decision-making in the health, agriculture, and transportation sectors among others, adding that the partnership was one that would support Ghana to use valuable metrics in making better analyses and predictions for the greater good of all.

The initiative is also expected to help the country to better measure the Sustainable Development Goals indicators.

“We are leading the way in supporting Ghana’s drive to undertake significant reforms to meet the Sustainable Development Goals.”

It said with close to five billion telecommunication subscribers globally, the power of the mobile phone could not be underestimated.

“Mobile data is now dictating the pace by helping countries and organisations to make better analyses and predictions and Ghana is in a unique position to become a trailblazer across the continent.”

“Our partnership with the Statistical Service, Vodafone Foundation and Flowminder is one that will ultimately prove why data from mobile networks can become a force for the good of society,” it said.

Mr Baah Wadieh, the Acting Government Statistician was quoted as saying that “Our stock-in-trade is to produce big and relevant data that inures to the benefit of the country and its people.”

He noted that there were opportunities and benefits of using “Call Data Records” to create transformation in many countries across the world and that it was not doubtful that the initiative would transform and impact on social lives in Ghana.

“The GSS will ultimately take ownership of the project with data reports from Vodafone Ghana, while Flowminder will ensure that effective mechanism is in place to mine and analyse the information for significant public benefit,” Mr Wadieh said.

The not-for-profit initiative programme is receiving generous funding from the Hewlett Packard Foundation.

Source: GNA http://www.ghananewsagency.org/social/vodafone-and-statistical-service-launch-initiative-124637

Employees of the newly merged Airtel and Tigo in the last Friday of October marked the climax of this years’ Breast Cancer awareness month with a sea of Pink dress-codes in solidarity with Breast Cancer survivors.

The headquarters of both entities were vibrant and alive as employees created awareness on Breast Cancer Awareness month which was climaxed with a buffet lunch and fund-raising activities.

The merged entity had a lot to celebrate given that they have over the years supported Breast Cancer campaigns by raising funds among themselves and supporting various institutions in creating awareness on early detection and caring for survivors.

This years’ internal awareness campaign which builds on the successes of activities over the years, featured a month-long digital news portal updates to employees on the signs to look out for, how to self-examine and treatment options when such signs are reported for early medical attention.

Employees were also sensitized against stigmatization and encouraged to be strong support systems for loved ones who find the selves with the devastating disease. They also partnered with NGO, Breast Care International for this year’s ‘Walk for Cure’ awareness campaign in Koforidua in the Eastern region.

The Breast Cancer awareness month has become an institutionalized feature for employee engagements for Tigo and Airtel staff to compliment the national agenda which was this year themed “Early Detection and Effective Treatment Save Lives”.

Source: NewsGhana https://www.newsghana.com.gh/tigo-airtel-staff-organize-fundraising-activities-to-end-breast-cancer-month/

MTN Ghana Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of MTN, has invested over 13 million dollars in building school blocks, libraries and Information Communication Technology Centres around the country in the last 10 years.

The investment is to enhance teaching capabilities, constructing and equipping hospital wards, paying tuition and supporting entrepreneurship. Professor Franklin Manu, the Board Chairman MTN Ghana Foundation, said that at the launch of its 10th anniversary to celebrate a decade of transforming and improving the wellbeing of communities across Ghana.

The celebration is on the theme: “Celebrating Ten years of Brightening lives, inspiring a brighter future.”

He said these achievements were outstanding and in recognition of this, the MTN Ghana Foundation has been rewarded by several institutions.

He said indeed it has a been a decade of great transformations and improved wellbeing for the communities they have touched spanning the North, South, East and West of Ghana.

He said as the company leads in the transformation of Ghana’s telecommunications sector, the Foundation was expected to continue to provide leadership in the communities and would ensure that the impact was felt in all spheres of life.

Pro Manu said through the interventions of the MTN Ghana Foundation, more people in rural as well as urban communities now have access to improved healthcare and in the same vein, thousands of expectant mothers now deliver in comfortable hospitals that we have refurbished or constructed.

“The newly constructed maternity unit of the Tema General Hospital which would be opening soon is a classic example,” he said.

He said these interventions have saved many lives in remote and urban communities in Ghana and all of this made possible from funds generated from a network “we consistently strive to enhance and expand.”

“My colleagues and I will continue to search, innovate and implement strategies and projects that will brighten lives ‘everywhere we go’,” he added.

The Board Chairman said “We have not just invested financial resources; we have also invested quality time and made a lot of sacrifices to make lives better.”

He said their “Save a life campaign” which organizes the annual blood donation exercise was introduced to help address the perennial blood shortage at the National Blood Bank and other regional hospitals.

The campaign has since then, collected over 6,000 pints of blood.

Mrs Georgina Asare Fiagbenu, Executive Secretary of the Foundation, said as part of activities to celebrate the anniversary, which was to end in March 2018, the Foundation has put together both internal and external events.

The activities include economic empowerment day, education day, staff volunteering day, community-driven corporate social responsibility in MTN’s three business districts and a visit to the Borstal Home.

She said the Foundation would also be embarking on some projects to mark the anniversary like partnering with ‘Operation Smile’ to help people, who have congenital disabilities and would need some surgery, put up an oil palm production centre in the Ashanti Region and give 300 scholarship to students.

Source: GNA

The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications and the GSMA on Wednesday 25^th October 2017, organized the Ghana Child Online Protection Conference in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications under the Cyber Security Week 2017.

The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications has announced the appointment of Kenneth Ashigbey as Chief Executive Officer. He assumes duty on November 1st 2017.

Kenneth joins the Chamber from the Graphic Communications Group Limited, where he was the Managing Director. He was previously the CEO at Optimum Media Prime (OMP) and also worked as the Chief Technology Officer at the Multimedia Group Ltd.

Ms. Yolanda Cuba, Chair of the Chamber, said “we welcome Kenneth to the Chamber. With a customer base of more than 19 million unique subscribers in Ghana, the mobile industry continues to change how we communicate. We look forward to working with Ken to deliver a lot more excitement to customers.”

On his part Kenneth said, “I am honored to be joining the industry at such a time of significant opportunities, despite the progress made. The Chamber will continue to positively impact the lives of Ghanaians by advocating for the right policy, legal and regulatory environment.”

He is appreciative of the tremendous work done by his predecessor, Kwaku Sakyi Addo and remains confident that “together, we can build on that”.

Kenneth holds an MBA from the Leicester University and a Bachelor Degree in Electrical Engineering from the KNUST.

Media Contacts:
For the Chamber
Derek B. Laryea
Head, Communications & Research
+233-302730500

The National Communications Authority (NCA) has given approval for the merger between Bharti Ghana Limited (Airtel) and Millicom Ghana Limited (Tigo) to proceed subject to some conditions.

This merger will result in an entity which will be the second largest mobile network operations in the country.

The merger, which was first announced in March this year, required the regulator to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the application and the regulatory ecosystem.

To ensure efficient and equitable distribution and access to the spectrum, the merged entities will have to submit a network integration plan to the Authority which will indicate how they intend to relinquish portions of their total spectrum allocation.

This, however, will be done in phases on geographical area basis and over a period not exceeding 18 months to avoid disruptions on the network.

On the issue of numbers, the merged entity shall retain all the numbering resources held by the merging entities. The NCA has also requested the merged entity to submit a plan to educate customers about changes and related measures within 30 days from the date of merger.

The merger approval is also conditioned with an option for Government participation.

Based on agreements which have been accepted by the merging entities and the payment of relevant fees, a supplementary agreement to the licences of the merging entities will be signed between the NCA and the merging entities; the day of the signing of the agreement will be the effective date of the merger.

The merged entity will have a 3G Licence valid until January 25, 2024, while their 2G Licence will be valid until October 30, 2021.

The NCA wishes to assure all stakeholders, especially consumers, that their various interests will be protected and that the Authority will endeavor to maintain stability within the industry.

Accra, 7th September, 2017

The National Communications Authority (NCA) has taken a regulatory decision to permit Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) with existing 2G Licences to deploy Universal Mobile Telecommunications Systems (UMTS), which is a 3G technology, in unserved and underserved communities across the country. The decision is expected to result in increased data access to areas which hitherto were not covered by MNOs with 3G services. The decision was announced at a media briefing addressed by the Acting Director General of the NCA, Joe Anokye in Accra.

Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) is a third generation (3G) technology. It is deployed using the 900MHz frequency band which was originally assigned for the deployment of 2G services (GSM) in Ghana. The UMTS technology was originally authorised in the 2100MHz frequency band.

Addressing the media, Joe Anokye said the UMTS technology makes it easier for telcos to expand their data coverage with minimum costs especially as they can be deployed over a large area at less costs. The UMTS technology also opens up the space for telcos to reach out to folks in areas where hitherto they will not because of the costs in deploying base stations there.

Joe Anokye said the benefits of allowing telcos to deploy UTMS is particularly beneficial to consumers. “With this, we will be promoting digital inclusion in Ghana and in the process customers in unserved & underserved areas will see the immense benefits especially as they see improvement with their access to data and data services, additionally, since this will lead to a maximization of spectrum use. It will lead to enhanced, consistent 3G user experience and reduce 3G coverage black spots”, he said, adding that the technology will also introduce choice and competition for the consumer while increasing data penetration, improved spectral efficiency and improve handover problems.

The Ag. Director General stressed that the heart of this decision is the consumer and that the NCA will monitor the UTMS deployment to ensure that all these benefits that have been penned down for the ultimate benefit of the consumer will come to fruition. He said, communication is essential for development so ultimately this will go a long way to support government initiatives to bring development to the rural areas.

The Authorisation to provide 3G services in the 900MHz band will be granted for specific areas upon application by a telco. The NCA will however give regard to unserved and underserved areas in considering the applications. MNOs will receive an Authorisation and not a Licence. The NCA has waived Application and Authorisation Fees or Charges for this service to interested telcos whiles authorisation will be for the unexpired term of the applicant’s 2G Licence.

The Chamber of Telecommunications will analyze the impact of this announcement and make its position public in due course.

The Head of Research and Communications at the Ghana Chamber of Telecoms has been awarded the Young ICT Ambassador at the 7th Ghana Information Technology and Telecoms Awards for his contribution to the telecom industry.

Mr. Laryea receiving his award from the Communications Minister

Derek Laryea, was very instrumental in the set-up of the Telecoms Chamber and has actively been involved in its running following the exit of the first CEO, Kwaku Sakyi-Addo.

The award, according to the organisers, took cognizance of the role played by Mr. Laryea who before joining the Chamber worked as a Reputation Research Administrator of Scancom (MTN) Ghana, where he was actively involved in the coordination, implementation and evaluation of MTN’s community-based projects and social marketing campaigns.

Over the last six years, he has been an active member within the telecoms industry negotiating and helping to direct telecommunications policy, legislation and regulation, and pursuing research towards the development of telecommunications in Ghana.

Mr. Laryea currently serves as the Taxation Working Group Head for the Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI) an NGO which is lobbying governments to facilitate improvement in ICT policies/regulations that will enable the private sector to be incentivized to help spread Internet coverage for use by all at affordability rate.

Mr. Laryea who holds a Masters in Financial Management from Coventry (UK), is currently a member of the Institute of Directors (IOD) and a Regulatory Impact Assessment Professional.

The awards recognized the efforts by individuals and institutions playing an outstanding role within the Telecoms and the broader information technology industry.

The ceremony which had MTN picking up 10 awards, the biggest haul of the night, was powered by InstinctWave.

The awards represent the most respected accolade in the industry, celebrating excellence in innovation, product development and service delivery.

This year the awards expanded to recognize various government agencies deploying ICT to improve service delivery such as the Electricity Company of Ghana, Bank of Ghana among others.

According to Akin Naphtal CEO of InstinctWave, “more categories were created for government ministries agency and department to promote and reward government efforts on digitization of the economy.”