Telephone connections in the rural communities are very terrible, sometimes, even to the extent of people climbing trees just to be able to make a simple phone call.
The Telecommunications companies or Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) who ought to step in to extend coverage by mounting mast in these areas refuses do so. Especially for communities with population below 1,000, due to certain commercial and economic considerations.
Ghana Investment for Electronic Communication( GIFEC)
And this is where Ghana Investment for Electronic Communication (GIFEC) comes in to close the void created by the MNOs during their rollout.
Consequently, the Administrator of GIFEC is saying that the Ministry of Communication has provided funding for the commencement of the rural telephony project.
GIFEC is implementing this project in order to provide voice and data services to unconnected communities in Ghana, in line with its mandate.
When started, he said the project will see GIFEC providing telephone connectivity to some 2,016 deprived communities across the country from 2020 to 2021.
Rural Telephony Project
The rural telephony project is an initiative that seeks to provide telephone connectivity to under-served communities to enhance telecommunication in those areas.
Speaking on the Joy News channel on Tuesday, June 9, 2020, Mr Abraham Kofi Asante, says they have already done site surveys. They are now at the simulation stage to identify areas that could pass with the technology that will be deployed.
For areas that have difficult topologies, where the GIFEC technology could not be set up, he said, they will use satellite connectivity in those places.
“We are always looking at innovative ways of using what we call the TV White space to provide connectivity to our rural folks”. He added.
Locations
He further added GIFEC has identified more 4,000 locations in Ghana that are lacking telephone connectivity.
Out of this number, 500 had been connected so far with the remaining set to commence later this year in the 2,016 communities, he said.
However, he added, “completing the 2,016 communities does not mean that they have covered the entire country, saying that “we will continue until we achieve the 100 percent connectivity that we are tasked to do”.
Funding for GIFEC, to commence its rural telephony projects has been provided to them
This is according to the Administrator of GIFEC, Mr Abraham Kofi Asante.
By Salifu B.B. Moro
