Business News of 2013-03-17

MTN petitions Minister over telecom masts permit delays

Telecom operator MTN has petitioned the Communications Minister over difficulties they are encountering in erecting telecom masts in some parts of the country.

The issue of telecom masts was one of the issues the mobile operator put before the minister when its Chief Executive, Michael Ikpoki paid a courtesy call on him last week.

The erection of telecom masts has been a controversial subject with residents in some parts of the country fearing the masts have health implications, but the telecom companies insist that their ability to render quality telephony services to consumers depends on masts.

Communications Minister, Dr Edward Omane Boamah told Joy Business he would consider MTN's petition on its merits and act appropriately.

“They submitted as many as 24 sites in several parts of the country...where they have found it very difficult to secure permits to deploy telecommunications towers,” he revealed.

Dr. Omane Boamah said the ministry would find out the issues that are frustrating the issuance of the permits and deal with them to facilitate the process for MTN to lay their infrastructure and deliver better services to the populace.