{
  "id": 15641192,
  "title": "Making Ghana’s 5G investment deliver for businesses and the economy",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/19/making-ghanas-5g-investment-deliver-for-businesses-and-the-economy",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-19T18:53:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/making-ghanas-5g-investment-deliver-for-businesses-and-the-economy/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Kumasi, a customer waits for an electronic payment system to function while at a diagnostic centre, medical images await transfer to a specialist. An engineering firm is delayed by a lack of timely design file transfers. These real-world scenarios illustrate the impact that connectivity issues have on businesses and their customers. Greater reliability is essential for these enterprises to thrive.\n\nThe National Communications Authority has taken steps to facilitate a more competitive 5G market by revoking exclusive wholesale 5G rights for Next Gen Infraco Limited. Simultaneously, this action preserves the licence and spectrum assignment of the company. This change creates opportunities for other operators to deploy 5G services.\n\nIn October, MTN Ghana secured spectrum in the 700 MHz and 3 GHz bands, with a total value of US$202 million for 15-year licences. Meanwhile, Telecel received three lots in the 2.3 GHz band. However, the award of spectrum is just the beginning; operators must still install the necessary infrastructure, acquire compatible equipment, and activate the service for customers. Reporting on these stages is crucial for businesses to plan accordingly.\n\nThe cost of 5G deployment encompasses both capital expenditure for radios, transmission infrastructure, and power systems, as well as recurring energy, maintenance, and operating costs. Customers must also factor in equipment and installation charges, subscription fees, and usage charges. These costs should be weighed against the improvements in work and earnings.\n\nCoverage and capacity are not synonymous. Coverage refers to the availability of a connection, while capacity pertains to the network's ability to handle traffic. Lower-frequency spectrum, such as 700 MHz, can extend coverage and penetrate buildings, while wider mid-band allocations offer greater capacity, contingent on bandwidth activation, antenna configuration, interference, and user conditions.\n\nDespite being within a coverage area, a business may still experience slow data transfers during peak demand periods. This highlights the need for accurate performance assessments.\n\nWireless broadband, in particular, requires robust capacity and dependable installation. Fixed wireless access can serve as an alternative when fibre installation is impractical. However, shared radio capacity with mobile users can impact performance, making it necessary to test reception and select suitable installations.",
  "summary": "At a busy shop in Kumasi, a customer waits while an electronic payment stalls. In a diagnostic centre, medical images await transfer to a specialist. A guesthouse loses a booking when its internet connection drops, while an engineering firm waits for a large design file before it can finish a client’s work. For these businesses, […]",
  "key_points": [
    "5G investment aims to improve business connectivity and economic growth.",
    "National Communications Authority revokes exclusive 5G rights for Next Gen Infraco.",
    "MTN Ghana secures 700 MHz and 3 GHz spectrum for 15-year licences."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Experts call for community action, stronger regulation to safeguard Ghana’s blue economy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/19/experts-call-for-community-action-stronger-regulation-to-safeguard",
        "published": "2026-10-19T13:57:15.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}