Indian and global leaders collaborate with government of Ghana and MNOs to launch Africa’s first 4G and 5G shared mobile broadband

The government of Ghana, Ascend Digital, K-NET, Radisys, Nokia, and Tech Mahindra, with mobile network operators (MNOs) including AT Ghana and Telecel Ghana have announced their partnership on a new shared infra – Next-Gen InfraCo (NGIC). This collaboration aims to deliver affordable 5G mobile broadband services across Ghana.

NGIC has been awarded 5G license and expected to launch 5G services across Ghana within the next six months, followed by expansion to other parts of Africa.

NGIC will be the first 5G mobile broadband shared infrastructure entity to build a nationwide 4G/5G network. The company will also work with MNO partners to launch affordable 4G/5G-enabled fixed wireless access (FWA) customer premises equipment (CPEs) and smart phones in Ghana within this calendar year.

The partnership aims to enhance the lives of Ghanaians by introducing digital services in education, healthcare, and digital payment transactions through peer-to-peer (P2P), peer-to-merchant (P2M) and merchant-to-merchant (M2M) systems, thereby reducing digital divide and promoting financial inclusion. Additionally, the multiplayer partnership will support NGIC in the entire deployment of network infrastructure and associated services, as communications service providers (CSPs) are looking to address enterprise and consumer markets with enhanced digital services. To achieve this, Tech Mahindra will build a cloud native core network powered by leading original equipment manufacturer (OEM) platforms.

NGIC plans to adopt India’s successful model of affordable handsets, digital platforms, and localised content and applications. The goal is to replicate this high-speed mobile data model across Africa, beginning with Ghana.

Commenting on the partnership, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Minister for Communications and Digitalisation (MoCD), Republic of Ghana, said, “The creation of a shared 5G mobile broadband infrastructure is critical for delivering affordable, high-speed data access to the people of Ghana and help achieve our Digital Ghana vision. The creation of NGIC as a neutral, shared platform, accessible to all MNOs and tower companies, will help to expand 5G services rapidly across the country. We are inspired by India’s digital infrastructure and low-cost mobile data usage and keen to replicate it in Ghana.”

Meanwhile, Mikko Lavanti, senior vice president, Middle East and Africa, Nokia, said, “Ghana holds immense potential for mobile broadband growth on the back of an unmet demand for connectivity. Establishing an open access network like NGIC will foster innovation and create numerous opportunities across various sectors. We are proud of our partnership with NGIC in helping Ghana realise its digital vision and unlock its full potential.”

In addition, Arun Bhikshesvaran, chief executive officer (CEO), Radisys, said, “Connectivity for all, through the use of open and disaggregated multi-access solutions, is a key component of Radisys’ initiatives to bridge the digital divide. By bringing FWA alongside 4G and 5G cellular services to help drive economic growth and digital inclusion, Radisys looks forward to helping Ascend and NGIC build a disruptive and affordable shared broadband infrastructure across Ghana. In addition, our communications platform and digital applications will help create new digital experiences that empower the Ghanian community and foster sustainable and inclusive development.”

Further, Manish Mangal, chief technology officer, telecom and global business head, network services, Tech Mahindra, said, “Our partnership with Next Gen Infra Co. is based on a shared vision for digital connectivity and providing network-as-a-service (NaaS) to innovate and bring cost efficiency to the telecom market in Ghana and Africa. Echoing our promise to scale at speed, we aim to rapidly advance operations by building a cloud native core network with leading OEM platforms combined with Tech Mahindra’s automation platform, netOps.ai. Together with NGIC, we will support the complete network infrastructure deployment and introduce high-speed 4G/5G services in the region.”

Additionally, Harkirit Singh, CEO, ascend digital and executive director, NGIC, said, “NGIC intends to launch its wholesale 4G/5G NaaS and make it available to all MNOs within the next six months. We have proven strengths of our partners – Radisys, Nokia, and TechM, to scale the network and deliver affordable mobile broadband services to all Ghanaians. We intend to gradually expand to other parts of Africa as well. We will tap the capital markets and bring in strategic investors as and when required.”

Moreover, Mohamad Ghaddar, chief operating officer (COO), Telecel Ghana, said, “NGIC’s neutral and NaaS model creates a level-playing field for all telecom operators in Ghana. As an MNO our focus will be to enhance customer experience through innovative services, localised content, applications, and affordable devices. We are excited to be part of this venture and looking forward to work with NGIC in a shared vision of universal access to broadband and transform Ghana into Digital Economy.”

Furthermore, Leo Skarlatos, CEO, AT Ghana, said, “This partnership will enable us to leverage a neutral, shared platform and scale up our services across Ghana. We are confident that our customers will experience enhanced network quality and affordable services that they deserve. We look forward to working with NGIC and the MoCD, to contribute to the country’s digital transformation agenda.”