The government of Ghana, in collaboration with its partners, including mobile network operators, has launched the Next-Gen InfraCo (NGIC), aimed at delivering a 5G network before the end of this year.
The partnership was signed on May 27, 2024, in Mumbai, following discussions that started in 2022.
Announcing the development at a press briefing on Thursday, Minister of Communications and Digitalization, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, said NGIC, which has seven other partners, namely Ascend Digital, K-NET, Radisys, Nokia, Tech Mahindra, AT Ghana, and Telecel Ghana, has been awarded the 5G license in Ghana and is expected to deploy internet services across the nation within 6 months.
“This initiative aimed to deliver affordable 5G mobile broadband services across the nation, propelling us towards a fully digitalized Ghana by 2020,” she said, adding that the services would be extended to other parts of Africa.
She revealed that NGIC has almost concluded negotiations with global tech giant Microsoft on the project, while discussions with local market leaders MTN Ghana are yet to be initiated.
According to the Minister, Nokia and Radisys will build shared 4G and 5G infrastructure, with Microsoft and TechMahindra providing IT architecture and infrastructure, leveraging world-class expertise for robust digital infrastructure.
She noted that “NGIC’s equity would be held by the Republic of Ghana, Ascend Digital, K-NET, all mobile network operators in Ghana, and other private investors, including the technology providers who may wish to join the consortium.”
“It is true knowledge that any 10% expansion in broadband infrastructure leads to a 1.5 to 2% growth in GDP, so we expect our economy to grow with this project,” she added.
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