The importance of digital connectivity in today’s world cannot be overstated. From online businesses to remote work and telemedicine, high-speed internet has become a critical enabler of economic growth and social development.
It enables individuals to access information, connect with others, and participate in the global economy. However, many countries, including Ghana, face challenges in providing their citizens with reliable and affordable internet access.
Ghana has made significant progress in recent years in expanding internet access. Ghana’s fiberisation journey began in 2010 with the launch of the National Broadband Strategy (NBS), a government-led initiative to expand broadband infrastructure and services across the country.
The NBS set ambitious targets, including providing universal access to affordable broadband by 2020 and achieving a minimum broadband speed of 5 Mbps.
However, there is still a long way to go to ensure that all Ghanaians have access to reliable internet. The outage of all four subsea fiber-optic cables from Ghana to Europe through Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal, as reported by the National Communications Authority (NCA), has led to a significant impact on internet connectivity in Ghana and the broader West African sub-region.
This situation has necessitated immediate action to restore internet services, with the NCA and Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) working collaboratively to mitigate the impact.
While fiber optics is the most common method of providing internet access, alternative solutions can play a crucial role in providing reliable connectivity in Ghana.
Beyond fiber optics, exploring innovative solutions for internet access in Ghana involves understanding the current landscape of digital technology adoption, identifying gaps, and considering alternative technologies that can bridge these gaps.
Satellite internet services use satellites to provide internet connectivity to areas with limited or non-existent terrestrial infrastructure. This technology is capable of offering reliable broadband internet access in Ghana.
Satellite communication has proven to be one of the most reliable and quick options for developing countries like Ghana to bring new media and telecommunications to their communities.
Vizocom, a leading international provider of satellite broadband services, has established a presence in Ghana, offering a range of integrated broadband satellite solutions. Their services include VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) technology, which is particularly suited for providing internet connectivity in areas where fiber-optic infrastructure is not available.
However, the deployment of satellite internet in Ghana faces several challenges, including regulatory hurdles and high costs.
The National Communications Authority (NCA) and the Ministry of Communications in Ghana have been cited as facing challenges in addressing the technical, economic, and regulatory issues related to satellite networks.
These challenges include the need for regulatory reforms to ensure further growth and expansion of the industry, as well as the need for well-defined regulatory rules to guide industry practice. The absence of such rules has been identified as stifling the communications industry in Ghana, leading to unfavorable business relations between big and smaller operators.
Implementation of Satellite Internet in Ghana
The recent disruption of the internet has forced the Ministry of Communications and the National Communications Authority (NCA) to implement the necessary regulatory reforms for the use of satellite and wireless connectivity as a supplement to the current telecommunication networks to ensure the industry’s continued growth and expansion.
During a briefing to Parliament, the Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful highlighted the licensing of satellite gateway air stations, landing rights, and satellite air station networks as well as the ongoing process to license Starlink with encouragement for other operators to establish operations in Ghana.
“One web has already been licensed. Starlink is in the process of being licensed and other operators are being encouraged to land in Ghana. We must also invest in operationalizing RASCOM, the Regional African Satellite Company, instead of each country going alone.”
Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Minister for Communications and Digitalisation
According to the Minister, before the recent internet disruption, the Ministry lacked the framework for licensing satellites. The Ministry has, however, equipped itself over the years with the requisite knowledge to license these satellites.
In December 2023, Ghana’s National Communications Authority (NCA) warned sellers of Starlink equipment in the country to cease operations as the Elon Musk-owned satellite connectivity provider, has yet to gain a license to operate.
In a statement, the NCA highlighted that it has not licensed the operations of Starlink or approved the use of its equipment in Ghana. It warned that any entity providing electronic communications services without a license is in direct violation of the Electronic Communications Act 2008, Act 775.
While acknowledging that Starlink’s service is expensive, the Minister assured plans to engage other sector players to cater to individuals across different economic strata.
Discussions are ongoing to explore affordable back-haul satellite solutions with all satellite service providers under the auspices of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). These discussions are expected to yield solutions to make satellite internet more accessible to a broader demographic in Ghana.
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