Residents in Accra are increasingly worried about the high cost of internet data in Ghana. This issue resurfaced on social media after a post blamed MTN’s status as a Significant Market Power (SMP) for the high prices. However, the National Communication Authority (NCA) came to advocate its management of the telecommunication sector.
They claim that as a regulatory authority for the communication sector, the NCA is entrusted with the responsibility of upholding fair competition and safeguarding the interests of consumers within the telecommunication industry. Therefore, the classification of MTN as an SMP aligns with the NCA’s mission and fulfills its mandates.
The regulatory authorities also” expressed the importance to note that the SMP classification is not intended to punish or stifle MTN’s operations, but rather to ensure a level playing field in the market and protect consumer choice. By implementing measures such as asymmetric interconnection rates, tariff parity, and technology neutrality. The NCA aims to promote competition, encourage innovation, and protect consumers’ interests. These measures enable other operators to compete effectively, offer sustainable pricing, and invest in improving quality service.
The data report from cable.co.uk ranked Ghana as third in Africa as a country with the cheapest cost pricing of mobile data and second in West Africa.
Nevertheless, subscribers expressed their frustrations on social.
One student said “Data prices are very high, and as a student, it affects me the most because research and project work need data. When you buy data, it doesn’t even last five minutes,” another subscriber voiced similar frustrations: “Sometimes you buy data, and within a short time, you get a notification that your balance is low. It’s affecting us in a bad way.”
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Amartey Mavis Akuorkor/Worlali Jacklyn Afetormashie
