Mobitel In Trouble

Details emerging from months of enquiry into the seizure of Mobitel's GSM equipment have revealed that the company attempted to ‘swerve’ the National Communications Authority (NCA). Millicom Ghana's (Mobitel) GSM equipment imported into the country without authorization, was seized and has been in the possession of the NCA since last year.

Officials of the company have refused several enquiries to explain the seizure and the delay in the commencement of their GSM service. Investigations by Myghananews.com has revealed that Millicom Ghana, after failing to secure a GSM license and authorization to import GSM equipment into the country, attempted to outwit the NCA by importing the equipment under the guise of 'filters' for their existing analogue system.

The company had authorization to import the 'filters' for their upgrading from the GSM band it was occupying into the TACS band, as part of the frequency rationalization programme embarked upon by the NCA and the Ministry of Communications. The NCA got wind of the diabolical plan to 'smuggle' in the GSM equipment and seized the consignment on arrival.

Mobitel, the first company to introduce mobile telephony to Ghana in 1993, was given an annually renewable authorization to operate Analog services. It announced in year 2000, plans to introduce GSM service alongside the existing service by the first quarter of year 2001. It has since the days of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government been struggling to get a license to operate the GSM service but to no avail.

The NCA's refusal to grant Mobitel a GSM license is due to its huge indebtedness to the NCA as a result of its failure to pay millions of dollars owed in regulatory and other fees since 1995. Government officials have confirmed Mobitel's use of numerous lobbyists to get the government to authorize the 'independent' NCA to grant the GSM license.

Government itself is yet to comment on the Mobitel- NCA saga. Minister for Communications and Technology Felix Owusu- Adjepong who is also the NCA Board Chairman is currently leading a government delegation that is holding discussions with Mobitel.

Millicom Ghana has since its problems with the NCA begun, rejected all media enquiries, and interpreted all reports on their inability to operate the GSM service as an attempt to destroy the company. The once media friendly business entity had suddenly become apprehensive towards media personnel.

Late last year, JOYFM reported that, the non-commencement of Mobitel's GSM service has affected the company financially, as its analog subscriber base has reduced significantly. Many who can longer wait for the more preferable GSM network have switched to other competitors.