Ghanaians to subscribe to one Wi-Fi network – Celltel

Ghanaians will soon be enjoying a common Wi-Fi access as the country readies to create smart cities, Celltell boss Dr Prince Kofi Kludjeson disclosed to Joynews.

Dr. Kludjeson explains that Ghana has the necessary tools and equipment to efficiently provide internet to its citizenry and there is a need for a broader stakeholder engagements.

Ghanaians have been up-in-arms on the high cost of internet in the country. Reacting to that, the Celltell boss said the expensive internet packages rolled out by telecom operators is as a result of telcos running its corporate module on the masses.

“One of the major problems that Ghanaians are crying about is the high internet cost. Data is expensive because of the way it is being done. Most of the telcos roll out packages for the corporate world and not the ordinary masses.”

My outfit and partners are targeting millions of Ghanaians within the various communities and this will give us the economy of scale to drive down data prices, he added.

The nationwide Wi-Fi network is under Ghana’s Smart Cities project that is collaborating with the local government institutions and other strategic and relevant government agencies.

The project is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of next year.

Celltel Networks Limited, Ghanaian Technology Company, has appointed local finance company, Ed & Co Capital Limited as financial advisors for the US$500 million Ghana Smart Cities project.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to that effect was signed between the two companies in Accra with the Founder and Executive Chairman of Celltel Networks, Dr Prince Kofi Kludjeson and Chief Executive of Ed and Co, Emmanuel Dabi, initialing the agreement.

As part of the deal, Ed & Co would arrange and manage the relationship between various institutions or individuals and the banks that would underwrite the subscriptions on clients’ behalf.

Celltel and its partners, including Cisco, Hughes Corporation, Apple, and some local broadband spectrum licensees are currently funding the installation of the nationwide Wi-Fi infrastructure and provision of affordable smart devices to customers across the country.