The GSMA, which represents the
interests of mobile operators worldwide, has entered into a partnership with
the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) and Vodafone
Ghana to deploy mobile internet solutions in unconnected rural communities.
The partnership which will run from
July 2019 to late 2020 is part of the Connected Society Innovation Fund for
Rural Connectivity.
The Minister of Communications, Ursula
Owusu Ekuful has welcomed the partnership agreement, which she says will go a
long way to promote government’s drive towards internet proliferation, across
the country, especially in rural areas.
GMSA-led project will fund mobile
network equipment vendors to deploy their innovative solutions to support
mobile operator efforts in Ghana.
According to the details of the
partnership, Vodafone Ghana will be testing and deploying these innovations on
their networks whilst GIFEC, which has the mandate to make electronic
communication accessible to Ghanaians, will provide land for site coverage.
The fund will also enable tax and duty
exemptions of up to thirty per cent for imported equipment to encourage
reinvestment and enhance coverage extensions.
“This collaboration is a pioneering,
first-of-its-kind project that aims to connect unconnected communities in rural
locations and deliver a range of essential digital services,” commented
Akinwale Goodluck, Head of Sub-Saharan Africa, GSMA.
“It could not have been achieved
without the support of both Vodafone Ghana and GIFEC, particularly on providing
tax exemptions and the provision of land for grantees, and will provide a
foundation for innovative African companies to support operator efforts to
connect the unconnected,” he added.
In Ghana, two vendors and their
partners were selected and are expected to be awarded up to £330,000 each for
implementing turnkey solutions to suit challenging rural environments with low
population density, difficult terrain or limited infrastructure.
Each project was judged on its ability
to provide solutions that are innovative, scalable and commercially
sustainable. Once the sites are fully commissioned they will be integrated into
Vodafone’s network as the project’s primary partner.
Commenting on the partnership, Gayheart
Mensah, External Affairs Director at Vodafone Ghana said: “Connectivity for all
remains an integral part of the way we operate as a business. In the spirit of
leaving no one behind, we are excited to be partnering the GSMA and GIFEC to
roll out this initiative. It is certainly an area of industry leadership that
we are extremely proud of. This is what we mean by enabling an exciting future
for all our stakeholders.”
Economic
Potential
The project focuses on specific rural
areas that currently lack connectivity but have economic potential. The
selection was conducted with analysis from the GSMA using its coverage mapping
tool. Fund grantees will work in consortiums to deliver their solutions and
provide mobile internet coverage and all mobile services from Vodafone Ghana.
At the end of the project, the mobile operators will take over the maintenance
and operation of the sites. The winners of the Innovation Fund will be
announced this summer.
“Despite the rapid growth in mobile
communication, commercially viable business models are still lacking in many
remote, low income and rural communities. The challenge in reaching the
unconnected in our part of the world rests crucially on affordability,
literacy, relevant service as well as appropriate technology. It is observed
that universal connectivity requires smart public interventions as market
forces are not sufficient. As we explore this partnership to deliver
connectivity for communities in the Northern and Upper West regions of Ghana,
the last mile of connecting the unconnected will be achieved to create avenues
for digital inclusiveness,” said Abraham Kofi Asante, CEO, GIFEC.
Mobile-360–Africa
The GSMA is hosting Mobile 360 – Africa this week in Rwanda. CEOs and senior
executives from leading companies in the mobile industry and throughout the
digital ecosystem will address the most pressing trends and issues in mobile.
The event will delve into the long-term impact of digital across communities
and industries and ask industry-defining questions over the three days. The
final day will host the bi-annual GSMA Mobile Money Leadership Forum, where
industry will discuss current trends and future innovations in mobile money.
