Sam George pushes for nationwide 4G upgrade of rural telephony sites

Samuel Nartey George, the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations in Ghana, has mandated all Rural Telephony sites throughout the country to be upgraded to at least 4G connectivity. He argued that it is no longer acceptable to provide rural communities with only 2G and 3G services while the rest of the world progresses towards cutting-edge technologies like 5G and 6G.

During an inspection of rural telephony projects in the Eastern Region, the Minister evaluated efforts to expand and enhance telecommunications services in underserved areas.

George emphasized that upgrading these sites would improve mobile service quality, elevate customer experience, and alleviate network congestion. He strongly asserted that telecommunications infrastructure should receive the same priority as other vital national infrastructure like roads and hospitals. He pointed out that in today's world, stating that communities are being connected while only providing 2G or 3G services is insufficient.

The rest of the world has moved on to 5G and 6G, and Ghana must at least provide its rural areas with 4G services.

The Minister stressed the importance of deliberate decisions to modernize existing rural telephony infrastructure to ensure that people in rural regions do not fall behind in Ghana's digital transformation. He advocated for investment in telecommunications, alongside roads and hospitals, and called for a commitment to converting all rural telephony sites to a minimum of 4G, while also preparing for 5G.

George sees this initiative as part of broader efforts to bridge Ghana's digital divide and provide the nation's communities with reliable and faster telecommunications services.