MTN Ghana, the leading telecommunications service provider in voice and data services, has launched the sixth edition of its annual month long Internet Festival (i-Fest) as part of its 20th anniversary celebrations and its vision “to lead the delivery of a bold new digital world”.
The Internet Festival was launched with a digital fair at Lapaz, a busy commercial area in Accra, to demonstrate the speed of the 4G network in the area as wellas highlight the benefits of the internet to traders and the general public. Technology developers of devices that support the mobile technology revolution in Ghana showcased products at the digital fair. The theme for this year’s edition of i-Fest is “Faster connectivity, smarter business.”
The month-long program will be used to drive data education and create awareness of the inherent benefits of 4G service to individuals and businesses. Activities to be undertaken include: a “tweetathon” with key personalities, market storms and activations for Trade Unions, campus activations and data clinics across the 10 regions of Ghana.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Marketing Officer for MTN, Mr. Asher Yaqub Khan said, “In spite of the growth of data subscribers on our network, there are many Ghanaians who are yet to experience the benefits of the internet and allied technologies. The fact that our 4G services can make the experience even more enjoyable and beneficial is a further reason to continue the education.”
Khan urged mobile users to dial *585# to check the compatibility of their phones with 4G and visit any MTN center to swap their non-4G SIM for an MTN 4G SIM. He also announced that 4G subscribers have the opportunity to receive up to 400% bonus when they bundle their data worth GH₵10.00 and above.
MTN currently leads the data market with 49.25% market share, and more than nine million data subscribers as at April 2016. Data penetration and ICT development in the telecoms sector have led to a 2% growth in GDP. The growth of data subscriptions on MTN’s network has been catalyzed by the Company’s i-Fest, which was launched in 2011. With the rollout of 4G in all regional capitals and key cities in 2016, MTN has further demonstrated its determination to continue to lead the telecom sector in the delivery of the benefits of digitization to Ghanaians.
This year’s i-Fest data clinic and campus activations are being done in partnership with digital partners – Huawei, Tecno, Jumia, Microsoft, Samsung and Infinix. These partners are storming the markets with affordable 4G phones and devices to enable MTN customers experience the speed of 4G technology.
Other activities lined up for the MTN 20th anniversary celebration include: MTN Mobile Money Month celebration, an anniversary Thanksgiving event dubbed “Ghana Stands in Worship” concert and the MTN@20 promotion which is ongoing. There are thousands of prizes including: 2016 Range Rover Sports cars, houses, cash prizes as well as 4G compatible handsets to be won.