The National Communication Authority (NCA) has assured that data prices will be lowered by the end of the year, offering relief to consumers grappling with high costs and poor service quality.
The announcement comes amidst mounting public pressure and calls for the NCA board’s dissolution, primarily due to the classification of MTN as a Significant Market Power (SMP).
Critics argue that MTN’s SMP status has contributed to unreliable data supply and inflated prices.
However, the NCA insists that the designation is aimed at promoting fair competition rather than hindering MTN’s operations.
To address the concerns, the NCA outlined plans to introduce measures such as balanced interconnection rates, tariff parity, and technology neutrality to foster a competitive market.
Dr. Joe Anokye, Director-General of the NCA, expressed optimism about the impending reduction in data prices, attributing the expected decline to the upcoming launch of the Next Generation Infrastructure Company (NGIC) wholesale carrier-neutral open access network.
This network will allow operators like AT, Telecel, and MTN to purchase data in bulk without significant infrastructure investments, leading to increased efficiency and cost reductions.
“Data prices are expected to go down, especially again with the NGIC wholesale career neutral open access, now AT, now Telecel, even MTN, they will just buy bulk, they don’t have to upgrade towers, they don’t have to buy new equipment to provide 4G, another entity is doing that.
The NGIC network is scheduled to be launched in the final quarter of the year.
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