The National Communication Authority (NCA), in response to public concerns over excessive data rates and subpar services, has promised that data prices will drop by the end of the year.
This follows intense criticism and demands for the NCA board to be dissolved, in part because of MTN’s designation as a Significant Market Power (SMP), which some claim has resulted in an unstable data supply and exorbitant rates.
The SMP categorization, as stated in a statement by the NCA, is intended to support fair competition rather than interfere with MTN’s business activities.
The Authority clarified that policies that promote competition, innovation, and consumer protection include tariff parity, technological neutrality, and uneven interconnection prices.
According to Dr. Joe Anokye, the launch of the NGIC wholesale carrier-neutral open access network will probably result in lower data costs.
By allowing telcos like AT, Telecel, and MTN to buy bulk data without having to upgrade towers or other equipment, this network—which is anticipated to go live by the end of the year—will boost productivity and cut expenses.
With optimism, Dr. Anokye said , “Data prices are expected to go down, especially again with the NGIC wholesale career neutral open access, now AT, now Telecel, even MTN, they will just buy bulk, they don’t have to upgrade towers, they don’t have to buy new equipment to provide 4G, another entity is doing that.
“They are supposed to launch by the last quarter of the year, and going from there we begin adding more towers. I think we should be hopeful.”
