The Ghanaian arm of MTN, one of Africa’s largest telecom providers, has revealed plans to deploy and make 5G services operational in the West African country by 2023. MTN has yet to cover Ghana with its 4G spectrum completely but intends to achieve 98 per cent coverage by the end of 2022. Currently, MTN provides 4G coverage in 73 per cent of the country.
According to BMA sources, the company indicated that it is updating its infrastructure and working with regulators on 5G to have 5G mobile connectivity operational in Ghana by 2023. In addition, MTN Ghana’s CEO, Selorm Adadevoh, announced and stated that MTN is working towards 5G to better position the company to take advantage of the digital space.
“Almost every ten years, a new technology emerges. For example, 4G was launched in 2016, prompting an expectation to have 5G rollout around 2026, but because COVID has hastened digitalization, it will have to be rolled out about 2023, “Adadevoh remarked.
MTN Ghana has invested over US$6 billion on infrastructure during its 25-year existence, with a total investment of over US$200 million in 2021 being the highest sum in a single year, according to Adadevoh. Adadevoh continued to note that, through MTN’s investments and accessibility services, such as MTN’s AYOBA platform, an all-in-one instant messaging tool, which provides opportunities for private citizens and businesses to enter the digital arena. In addition, he noted that customers and companies alike might use MTN’s digital platforms and data services to access online shops and market spaces with a single click.
