{"id":658818,"date":"2019-07-18T06:35:29","date_gmt":"2019-07-18T06:35:29","guid":{"rendered":"
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\"\"<\/div> \n\n \n\n "},"modified":"2019-07-18T06:35:29","modified_gmt":"2019-07-18T06:35:29","slug":"gifec-gsma-vodafone-to-connect-ghanas-rural-communities-to-internet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2019\/07\/18\/gifec-gsma-vodafone-to-connect-ghanas-rural-communities-to-internet\/","title":{"rendered":"GIFEC, GSMA, Vodafone to connect Ghana\u2019s rural communities to internet"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The GSMA, which represents the
\ninterests of mobile operators worldwide, has entered into a partnership with
\nthe Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) and Vodafone
\nGhana to deploy mobile internet solutions in unconnected rural communities.<\/p>\n

The partnership which will run from
\nJuly 2019 to late 2020 is part of the Connected Society Innovation Fund for
\nRural Connectivity. <\/p>\n

The Minister of Communications, Ursula
\nOwusu Ekuful has welcomed the partnership agreement, which she says will go a
\nlong way to promote government\u2019s drive towards internet proliferation, across
\nthe country, especially in rural areas.<\/p>\n

GMSA-led project will fund mobile
\nnetwork equipment vendors to deploy their innovative solutions to support
\nmobile operator efforts in Ghana. <\/p>\n

According to the details of the
\npartnership, Vodafone Ghana will be testing and deploying these innovations on
\ntheir networks whilst GIFEC, which has the mandate to make electronic
\ncommunication accessible to Ghanaians, will provide land for site coverage. <\/p>\n

The fund will also enable tax and duty
\nexemptions of up to thirty per cent for imported equipment to encourage
\nreinvestment and enhance coverage extensions.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis collaboration is a pioneering,
\nfirst-of-its-kind project that aims to connect unconnected communities in rural
\nlocations and deliver a range of essential digital services,\u201d commented
\nAkinwale Goodluck, Head of Sub-Saharan Africa, GSMA. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt could not have been achieved
\nwithout the support of both Vodafone Ghana and GIFEC, particularly on providing
\ntax exemptions and the provision of land for grantees, and will provide a
\nfoundation for innovative African companies to support operator efforts to
\nconnect the unconnected,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

In Ghana, two vendors and their
\npartners were selected and are expected to be awarded up to \u00a3330,000 each for
\nimplementing turnkey solutions to suit challenging rural environments with low
\npopulation density, difficult terrain or limited infrastructure. <\/p>\n

Each project was judged on its ability
\nto provide solutions that are innovative, scalable and commercially
\nsustainable. Once the sites are fully commissioned they will be integrated into
\nVodafone\u2019s network as the project\u2019s primary partner.<\/p>\n

Commenting on the partnership, Gayheart
\nMensah, External Affairs Director at Vodafone Ghana said: \u201cConnectivity for all
\nremains an integral part of the way we operate as a business. In the spirit of
\nleaving no one behind, we are excited to be partnering the GSMA and GIFEC to
\nroll out this initiative. It is certainly an area of industry leadership that
\nwe are extremely proud of. This is what we mean by enabling an exciting future
\nfor all our stakeholders.\u201d<\/p>\n

Economic
\nPotential<\/strong><\/p>\n

The project focuses on specific rural
\nareas that currently lack connectivity but have economic potential. The
\nselection was conducted with analysis from the GSMA using its coverage mapping
\ntool. Fund grantees will work in consortiums to deliver their solutions and
\nprovide mobile internet coverage and all mobile services from Vodafone Ghana.
\nAt the end of the project, the mobile operators will take over the maintenance
\nand operation of the sites. The winners of the Innovation Fund will be
\nannounced this summer.<\/p>\n

\u201cDespite the rapid growth in mobile
\ncommunication, commercially viable business models are still lacking in many
\nremote, low income and rural communities. The challenge in reaching the
\nunconnected in our part of the world rests crucially on affordability,
\nliteracy, relevant service as well as appropriate technology. It is observed
\nthat universal connectivity requires smart public interventions as market
\nforces are not sufficient. As we explore this partnership to deliver
\nconnectivity for communities in the Northern and Upper West regions of Ghana,
\nthe last mile of connecting the unconnected will be achieved to create avenues
\nfor digital inclusiveness,\u201d said Abraham Kofi Asante, CEO, GIFEC.<\/p>\n

Mobile-360\u2013Africa\u00a0<\/strong>
The GSMA is hosting Mobile 360 \u2013 Africa this week in Rwanda. CEOs and senior
\nexecutives from leading companies in the mobile industry and throughout the
\ndigital ecosystem will address the most pressing trends and issues in mobile.
\nThe event will delve into the long-term impact of digital across communities
\nand industries and ask industry-defining questions over the three days. The
\nfinal day will host the bi-annual GSMA Mobile Money Leadership Forum, where
\nindustry will discuss current trends and future innovations in mobile money. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n