Beginning July 1, this year, Telco subscribers will enjoy increase in data bundles offering by all networks.This forms part of the sweeping reforms announced by the Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, at a press conference yesterday.As part of the package, MTN subscribers will enjoy a 15 per cent increase in their offering, while those of Telecel and AT, will enjoy 10 per cent increase at the same price.He explained that engagements with the country's three major mobile network operators had resulted in a 10 to 15 per cent increase in data bundle values without any price adjustments."From July 1, all data bundles will see at least a 10 per cent increase in value.
For instance, the GH¢ 400 bundle currently offering 195 GB will now deliver 236 GB.
Another package, which now gives 90 gigabytes for GH¢ 400, will increase to 250 GB," he said.He made this known addressing the media and telecom stakeholders at a press conference in Accra yesterday.Mr George explained that while all three mobile network operators had agreed to increase the value of their data bundles at no extra cost, two of them-Telecel and AirtelTigo-would implement a 10 per cent, MTN, on the other hand, would introduce a 15 per cent increase, due to its designation as a Significant Market Power (SMP).He said because of MTN's dominant market share, steeper changes were necessary to rebalance the sector and promote fair competition.The Minister noted that the different treatment of network operators was agreed upon through consensus with the CEOs, aiming to benefit consumers and address market imbalances.The Minister thanked the CEOs for agreeing to increase data bundle values without raising prices, despite the significant cost to their companies, and praised them for prioritising the interests of Ghanaians.He asserted that while he could not dictate pricing in a free market, policy actions could significantly influence affordability.He cited examples of past decisions that indirectly led to price hikes, such as the forward collection of the Communications Service Tax and the declaration of MTN as a SMP.He argued that those decisions lacked proper implementation and contributed to price distortions and quality of service issues.The Minister stated that the telecom sector was in a state of near-collapse when he took office four months ago, with several operators having failed and others severely weakened.This, he recalled that a data pricing review committee was set up in his first month in office, focused on three key pillars: value, pricing, and quality leading to the increment in value at the same price.Mr George also announced that the National Communications Authority (NCA) had been tasked with enforcing the new bundle changes from July 1 and will sanction any operator that failed to comply.To enhance service quality, Mr George disclosed that the three major telcos have committed to investing approximately $150 million into network upgrades before the end of the year."I am committed to value-added data offerings that will culminate in price reductions in the medium to long term.
But let's be honest-reversing eight years of mismanagement cannot be done in four months," he stated.The minister assured the public of ongoing engagements with the Ministries of Finance and Energy to rationalise telecom taxes and electricity tariffs for the sector, which he said would further reduce data costs. BY JULIUS YAO PETETSI & ABIGAIL ANNOH
