It has been disclosed by Henry Kanor, Deputy Director Engineering, National Communications Authority that mobile phones will be used by approximately 80 percent of Ghanaians by close of this year and hoped that the growth will be achieved if everything goes well.
The disclosure was made during a public education on electromagnetic fields from telecommunications masts organized by Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) in Accra.
The current mobile penetration rate in Ghana 67%, which is reflected in about 12 million people owning mobile phone chips. MIN, Vodafone, Kasapa, Tigo and Zaino are the five telecom networks operators and the sixth operator Globacom of Nigeria is expected to commence operations soon.
MTN has the biggest market share of 52% followed by Millicom Ghana Limited operators of TIGO with 22%, Vodafone 14%, Zain 8% and Kasapa 2% respectively.
According to Henry Kanor, as mobile phone users grow, more base stations are needed to provide coverage for communications networks and adequate coverage and capacity are essential to provide Quality of Service (QoS).
More demand for cell sites is expected since coverage is a key strategic asset and currently there are 3,091 cell sites around the country with MTN having 1,652 cell sites, Tigo 699, Vodafone 378, Kasapa 112 and Zain 250.
Kanor also feels that if the new guidelines for deployment of communications towers are passed by parliament there will be one-stop-shop permitting scheme for the deployment of communications towers in the country. Clear standards and procedures for the installation of towers and address the issue of environmental sanity has also been provided.
The guidelines have been declared and it will establish clear rules of engagement of all stakeholders besides formulating a framework that is attainable and stable and structured to be cost effective and address the concerns of operators.
