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Poor Telecom Services: NCA Signals Tougher Action on Operators

From Ghanaian Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Ghana's National Communications Authority (NCA) is signaling a tougher stance against telecom operators due to persistent public complaints about poor service quality.
  • Consumers are experiencing dropped calls, weak network coverage, and slow internet speeds, leading to a significant gap between promised and delivered services.
  • The NCA plans to tighten quality-of-service benchmarks, publish operator performance data, and calls for shared responsibility in protecting telecom infrastructure to improve connectivity.

For too long, Ghanaians have endured a frustrating disconnect between the telecommunications services they pay for and the quality they actually receive. Dropped calls, patchy coverage, and sluggish internet speeds have become daily annoyances, eroding trust in a sector that is crucial for national development. The National Communications Authority (NCA) has finally acknowledged this widespread dissatisfaction and is signaling a much-needed shift towards greater accountability for telecom operators.

Ghanaians are not receiving the quality of service they pay for.

— Reverend Edmund Yirenkyi FiankoNCA Director-General, acknowledging consumer complaints about telecom services.

At a recent stakeholder forum, the NCA Director-General made it clear that the days of subpar service delivery are numbered. The Authority will be closely monitoring operators' plans for network expansion, site upgrades, and the adoption of advanced technologies. This intensified scrutiny is a welcome development, as it directly addresses the growing gap between marketing promises and the reality experienced by consumers. The regulator's commitment to tightening quality-of-service benchmarks and publicly sharing performance data promises a new era of transparency, fostering healthier competition based on tangible service improvements rather than mere advertising.

It is a timely intervention. For too long, consumers have endured a widening gap between what is promised and what is delivered.

— NCA Director-GeneralCommenting on the need for regulatory action to improve telecom services.

However, the NCA rightly points out that improving Ghana's digital infrastructure is a collective effort. While regulatory action is essential, the protection of vital telecom infrastructure, such as fiber optic cables, remains a critical challenge. Careless construction work and vandalism frequently disrupt services, underscoring the need for stricter enforcement of policies like the 'dig-once' approach to underground installations. Collaboration between utility providers and community involvement are paramount to building the stable digital backbone Ghana needs to thrive.

Transparency will help expose underperforming networks and encourage healthy competition based on real service delivery rather than marketing claims.

— NCA Director-GeneralHighlighting the benefits of publishing operator performance data.

As global bodies like the International Telecommunication Union and the UN emphasize the importance of robust digital systems, Ghana's own digital ambitions hinge on reliable connectivity. The NCA's proactive stance is a crucial step, but it must be met with decisive action from operators and a shared commitment to safeguarding our digital future. Without stable networks, efforts in education, business, and governance will continue to be hampered, preventing Ghana from fully realizing its digital transformation potential.

Community members, contractors and security agencies must help protect telecom infrastructure.

— NCA Director-GeneralCalling for shared responsibility in protecting telecom infrastructure.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ghanaian Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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