Home | Goldstreet Business
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
  • Home
  • General News
    • Extractives
    • Auto
  • Business
    • Banking and Finance
    • AgriBusiness
    • Insurance
    • Mining
    • Oil and Gas
    • Real Estate/Housing
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • Agriculture
    • Maritime/Aviation
    • Energy
    • Education
    • Construction
  • Technology
    • ICT
    • Telecom
  • World
    • Africa
    • International
  • Editorial/Features
  • GSB Data Services
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • General News
    • Extractives
    • Auto
  • Business
    • Banking and Finance
    • AgriBusiness
    • Insurance
    • Mining
    • Oil and Gas
    • Real Estate/Housing
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • Agriculture
    • Maritime/Aviation
    • Energy
    • Education
    • Construction
  • Technology
    • ICT
    • Telecom
  • World
    • Africa
    • International
  • Editorial/Features
  • GSB Data Services
No Result
View All Result
Gold Business Logo
No Result
View All Result

Vodafone 4G – how the journey unravelled

February 11, 2019
in Uncategorized
0
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The story of Vodafone Ghana’s acquisition of the 4G licence is an odyssey of persistence and belief.

The story starts in 2015 when Vodafone pulled out of the National Communications Authority’s (NCA) 4G spectrum bidding process. The NCA pegged the price at US$67.5m for any mobile operator – Vodafone balked at the price, finding it exorbitant given market conditions. Supporting their claim, were examples across Africa where similar spectrum bids for the same band had an average price of around US$25m.

RELATED POSTS

ISSER boss speaks on economic implications of lockdown

NBSSI Opens Digitalisation Support Scheme Application

Chief Executive, Yolanda Cuba was adamant, “There is no doubt that 4G is an efficient technology and from a customer perspective, it can give increased speed. However, from our standpoint, it’s just not cost efficient for us to deploy the technology.”

The bidding process went ahead nonetheless and a block of the two available slots was eventually prized away by another operator. With hopes of acquiring the other block fast slipping away, Vodafone Ghana decided to embark on an extensive advocacy campaign to make 4G spectrum available to its customers. The reasoning was that spectrum was an intrinsic property of every Ghanaian customer and the regulator should ensure that everyone had access to improved data access. The advocacy was eclectic and poignant but the NCA stood their ground. One operator had acquired a block despite the price, so what was hindering a multinational like Vodafone?

Despite all these challenges, the Vodafone Senior Management Team kept going. The company was determined to achieve this goal – to provide their customers with another top tier data service. They would not rest until they secured the 4G spectrum. Stakeholder Engagement sessions with Government representatives, the regulator, the media and advocacy groups were consistent and unrelenting.

Meanwhile, the company stepped up efforts by bolstering an already significant investment in its 3G network – which was soon ranked the best in voice clarity and 3G speed by global research company P3. Vodafone’s Fixed Business also introduced the game changing *Fibre-to-the-Home* (FTTH) service, matching internet delivery to home and offices anywhere in the world. In no time, 1000-gated communities were connected – leading up to 27,000 homes connected to date. These strategic business decisions kept Vodafone relevant in the market. 4G was desirable but so was 3G; especially when you are providing best in class services in a country that still has significant pockets without data coverage.

Yolanda refused to give up. Advocacy reached the highest corridors of power. Vodafone’s CEO for Africa, Middle East and Asia-Pacific (AMEAP) region, Vivek Badrinath proved instrumental in these interactions as well.

Then came June 2018 – a month marking 10 years of Vodafone’s operations in Ghana. The company had put up a splendid anniversary dinner at the new Marriot Hotel in Airport. Every key personality and stakeholder attended including the Vice President of Ghana, Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia.

His speech was instrumental in turning the tide in this epic saga:

“Some of the concerns expressed by Vodafone have been around the need for government to make available reasonably priced LTE spectrum to empower the company to deliver maximum quality service to its customers. We have taken the concerns on board and we will do everything within our power to make spectrum available for the benefit of Ghanaians. For me, making spectrum available to Vodafone should be seen as ensuring that government makes returns on its 30% shareholding in the company.”

After the anniversary event, the proverbial wheels started turning. The NCA finally agreed to open fresh bids for access to 4G spectrum and invited operators without the technology to bid. Vodafone, tireless in its commitment to liberalize the digital space in Ghana, emerged as the only successful company and was awarded a block for US$30m.

It was a feat that was met with much excitement. Sharing her thoughts on the matter, Yolanda Cuba stated:

“We are excited that after three years of persistent constructive engagement with the regulator and policy makers, we now have the opportunity to operate an LTE 4G licence in Ghana. We are happy that our customers will finally experience faster data speed starting next year. Vodafone is committed to continuously work with the regulator to promote digital inclusion in the country, for which the 4G spectrum will play a critical role. It will also enable Vodafone to partner with government on its agenda of digitising Ghana’s economy.”

Telecommunication users are excited and expecting a major service boost from Vodafone. The company is already aligning its infrastructure towards launching 4G. If similar rollouts in other Vodafone operating markets are anything to go by, a data market transformation is imminent. Make sure you are ready!

 

60

SHARES
facebook Share on Facebook
Twitter Tweet
Follow Follow us
custom Share
custom Share
custom Share
custom Share
custom Share
ShareTweetShare

Related Posts

ISSER boss speaks on economic implications of lockdown

ISSER boss speaks on economic implications of lockdown

January 26, 2021
NBSSI Opens Digitalisation Support Scheme Application

NBSSI Opens Digitalisation Support Scheme Application

January 26, 2021
Ghana to become regional top performer in palm oil production

Ghana to become regional top performer in palm oil production

January 26, 2021
Ghana Association of Bankers appoints Mansa Nettey as new president

Ghana Association of Bankers appoints Mansa Nettey as new president

January 26, 2021
Ghana Revenue Authority targets GH₵60 billion tax revenue for 2021

Ghana Revenue Authority targets GH₵60 billion tax revenue for 2021

January 26, 2021
Next Post

Compliance level to tax stamp remains poor

Pilot training academy to be setup soon

Archives

<
January 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
▼
>
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
    123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031
       
 123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
28293031   
       
      1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
30      
   1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728293031 
       
 123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
282930    
       
     12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31      
  12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031  
       
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
2930     
       
    123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031
       
  12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
27282930   
       
      1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
3031     
     12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
242526272829 
       
  12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031  
       
      1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
3031     
    123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
252627282930 
       
 123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
28293031   
       
      1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
30      
   1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728293031 
       
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
293031    
       
     12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
       
  12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031  
       
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
2930     
       
    123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031
       
    123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728   
       
 123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
28293031   
       
     12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31      
   1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
2627282930  
       
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
293031    
       
     12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
       
  12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031  
       
      1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
3031     
    123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
252627282930 
       
 123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
28293031   
       
      1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
30      
   1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728293031 
       

RECOMMENDED

ISSER boss speaks on economic implications of lockdown

ISSER boss speaks on economic implications of lockdown

January 26, 2021
NBSSI Opens Digitalisation Support Scheme Application

NBSSI Opens Digitalisation Support Scheme Application

January 26, 2021

MOST VIEWED

Plugin Install : Popular Post Widget need JNews - View Counter to be installed
  • Energy
  • Health
  • Auto
  • International
  • Subscription Form
  • Staff Webmail
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
Call us: +233 24 432 0902 | info@goldstreetbusiness.com

© Copyright © 2020 goldstreetbusiness.com. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Homepages
    • Homepage Layout 1
    • Homepage Layout 2
  • World
  • Business
  • Technology
  • Health

© Copyright © 2020 goldstreetbusiness.com. All Rights Reserved.

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.