Data prices to go down by the close of 2024 – NCA boss

The Director General of the National Communications Authority (NCA), Dr. Joe Anokye, has assured the people of Ghana that data prices may be reduced in 2025.

There have been calls on the government to work towards ensuring that data for internet usage is reduced.

The argument has been that since the government is pushing for internet penetration, there will be a need for data prices to be decreased to allow everyone access.

The rise in the cost of MTN data, in particular, has been blamed on the fact that they are classified as having significant market power (SMP).

However, the NCA, in a statement, denied this claim, indicating that SMP classification aims to promote fair competition, not burden MTN’s operations.

Speaking on Accra-based Citi FM in an interview, Dr. Joe Anokye assured the people of Ghana of a decrease in data prices.

“Data prices are expected to go down, especially with the NGIC wholesale carrier-neutral open access. Now AT, Telecel, and even MTN, will just buy bulk; they don’t have to upgrade towers, and they don’t have to buy new equipment to provide 4G, and another entity is doing that.

“They are supposed to launch by the last quarter of the year, and from there we will begin adding more towers. I think we should be hopeful.”