By Adedapo Adesanya
The government in Ghana is set to introduce a set of policies to reduce the dominance of MTN in the country’s telecommunications market.
In a statement released over the weekend, the Minister of Communications, Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, announced corrective measures under the National Telecommunications Policy (NTP) to ensure more market competition, to allow for proper pricing for consumers and facilitate the overall growth of the industry
Ghana’s National Communications Authority (NCA) says it will in the coming days begin the implementation of specific policies to ensure a level-playing field for all network operators within the telecommunications sector.
MTN has been declared a significant market power, requiring the regulator to take corrective action to allow more market competition.
According to statistics from the NCA, MTN’s share in mobile data subscriptions accounted for almost 70 percent of the market from January to March 2020.
To correct this, the regulator will implement a series of measures including a favourable connection rate for disadvantaged operators, the setting of floor and ceiling pricing on all minutes, data, text messages and mobile money.
In addition, it will also ensure that various operator vendors are not subject to exclusionary pricing or behaviour.
However, MTN Ghana said in a statement released on Monday that it has not yet received the formal notification from the regulator and was awaiting it to assess the details.
“MTN Ghana respects the NCA’s purview to regulate the telecommunications sector in Ghana based on legislation and best practices,” the firm said.
The statement added that MTN will come out publicly after assessing the details when they are formally notified.
“We would like to assure our cherished shareholders and customers that our commitment to the delivery of a bold new digital world in Ghana remains intact and they can count on our continued investment in infrastructure and innovative products and services,” it said.
“MTN Ghana is focused on providing the enabling technology to support Ghana’s digital economy and drive productivity, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic,” the South Africa-based organisation stated.
It assured all that the leading telecommunications company will remain “ethical” and committed to all its regulatory obligations.
Aduragbemi Omiyale