According to her, the NCA has not been clear on its policy direction towards improved internet coverage in the country.

Madam Motman has therefore urged the NCA to open up the discussion on the acquisition of a 5G spectrum by telcos in the country.

Addressing journalists at a press conference, Roshi Motman disclosed that AirtelTigo is however working towards the acquisition of a 5G spectrum to ensure quality service to its customers.

“Acquiring a 4G is a natural progression but actually as a company, we are looking towards acquiring a 5G spectrum because in reality it’s time for 5G in the world and not really 4G. So it’s a bit sad that in Ghana the situation is the way it is. I also believe that it is not necessary to as a company move from 2G to 3G and then to the next when there is a more developed one out there, you can go straight onto 5G”.

Roshi Motman explained that both parent groups of the merged entity are working towards acquiring a 5G spectrum,

“Both our groups, we have the Bharti Airtel Group and the and the Millicom group that are behind this venture are both investing in 5G and we are now bringing on board experts to really have a look at how this can be positioned in this market”.

The move of the company to acquire a 5G spectrum comes despite pleas by the telcos to reduce the cost of acquiring a 4G spectrum.

The second 4G spectrum has been left untaken after MTN acquired the first one in 2015.

MTN, together with three other companies back then; Surfline, Goldkey and Migson communications all submitted applications for the spectrum but only MTN was able to cough up the floor price for the spectrum which was 67.5 million dollars.

The spectrum allows the telecom operator to provide improved internet services to customers as it has a faster speed and enhanced features.

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By: Anita Arthur/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana

The post Airtel Tigo joins calls for 5G network in Ghana appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The occasion is to demand that the rights of all consumers are respected and protected, and to protest against market abuses and social injustices which undermine those rights.

As part of this year’s celebrations, Citi Business News has been finding out the level of satisfaction among consumers within the telecom industry and how such concerns are being addressed.

This year’s celebration is on the theme, “Making digital market places fairer”.

Click to listen to full audio report.

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By: Citibusinessnews.com/Ghana

The post Consumer Rights Day: Telecom users to ditch poor service providers appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Mr. Chaalabi bemoaned the relatively minimal impact of Expresso as such, he believes the regulator needs to intervene to sanitise the industry.

His comments follow a formal notification by the NCA to Expresso, of the Authority’s intention to terminate its Mobile Cellular license.

“I think what the NCA has done is the right thing to do especially because they have defaulted since 2014. I think they gave them ample time to rectify the issues and I don’t think that even at that time they were in a position to change anything,” he told Citi Business News.

According to the NCA, the move is due to Expresso’s inability to meet its regulatory obligations.

Expresso, last month appealed for an extension of the timeline leading to a possible revocation of its license.

But Mr. Chaalabi maintains that the move taken by the NCA is commendable.

“In my professional opinion, there is no need to redeem themselves, I don’t think they have that influence in the Ghanaian market and I think that as investors, I will just close down and find some other avenue to invest,” he added.

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By: Jessica Ayorkor Aryee/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana

The post Analyst backs revocation of Expresso’s license appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The workers’ union of Expresso, tells Citi Business News, efforts to secure an investor should turnaround the fortunes of the company, soon.

The Minister of Communications Ursula Owusu Ekuful has served notice the National Communications Authority (NCA) will be compelled to revoke the company’s license if it fails to improve its operations within the time offered.

According to her, the exercise is to sanitise the telecommunication industry by giving value for money and providing cutting edge services to customers.

But the Deputy Women’s Organiser for the Communications Workers’ Union and herslef a worker of Expresso, Hildegard Ferguson Kraikue explains that revoking Expresso’s license will impact adversely on workers.

“What we are asking for is that at least NCA gives us some time between now and by the time of our license expiry and then they would know whether we have performed or not and then they can take a decision to renew or withdraw.”

Expresso has been saddled with a lot of challenges which have affected the telecommunication’s position in the market.

The development has equally led to unpaid salaries accumulating for at least four years now.

The local workers’ union believes that the revocation of the company’s license would adversely affect the payment of the accumulated salaries hence their call.

Meanwhile Hildegard Kraikue is optimistic that attempts to get an investor to revamp the company’s operations should turn around its fortunes and deepen the provision of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) services.

“We have had the consultant looking into our operations for about two years now and admittedly, it is not easy to get an investor for a company in the current situation that we are in,” she said.

Madam Kraikue added,“We have had several investors coming in but they realize that there is so much debt that they have to take on board and they are unwilling to pursue the move. It is not as if we haven’t done anything as a business.”

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By: Pius Amihere Eduku/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana

The post Expresso appeals for more time over losing license appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Persons close to the matter say the company’s confidence is premised on what it describes as the continuous engagement with the NCA to improve their services.

Minister for Communications, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has stated that telecom companies; Expresso and Glo may lose their licenses if they fail to meet a 30 day ultimatum given by the ministry to answer questions on their poor operations.

This also comes after consistently operating below standards set by the National Communications Authority (NCA).

Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful further hinted that she is convinced the NCA will soon revoke the license of the two telecommunications companies.

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By: Jessica Ayorkor Aryee/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana

The post Glo races against time to stop revocation of license appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The witness, who is the Director Legal Services at the NCA, Abena Asafo Adjei, among other things testified that, she had no knowledge of the contract between the NCA and Infraloks Development Limited to purchase any security equipment for the Authority.

The witness further added that, she only came across the contract when the investigator handling the case came to her office and handed the document to her.

[contextly_sidebar id=”gFelvlUyTxmZYt4ShgzMrt63orvZKEpg”]She also revealed that the alleged contract had the name National Communications Agency instead of Authority.

Abena Asafo Adjei also told the Accra High Court that the money withdrawn from the NCA’s account, which was used to purchase security equipment did not have the approval of the board of the Authority.

According to her, minutes of Board meetings during the period from 2015 till date, do not show any request and approval brought before members of the board.

Mrs. Asafo Adjei also added that, the only request for external support had to do with some Ghc2 million for the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation.

After her testimony, she was cross-examined by lawyers for the defendants, Thadeus Sory, Agbesi Kojo Dzakpasu, Osafo Buabeng and Baffour Asaase Gyimah.

The fifth Defense Lawyer, Samuel Cudjoe, waived his opportunity to also cross-examine the witness.

Background

The NCA boss, William Tevie and four others were arraigned for allegedly causing financial loss to the state over the alleged fraudulent $6 million contract signed between the NCA and Infraloks Development Limited (IDL).

The five are said to have fraudulently withdrawn some four million dollars from NCA accounts without justification.

Reports indicate that an Israeli company, NSO Group Technology Limited was contracted to supply the surveillance equipment at the cost of $6 million, to enable National Security monitor conversations of persons believed to be engaged in terrorism.

IDL was also reportedly charging $2 million to facilitate the transaction, bringing the total sum to $8 million.

But the three, through the said contract, allegedly withdrew $4 million from the accounts of the NCA and have failed to account for it.

But only $1 million was allegedly paid into the accounts of the Israeli company.

The case has been adjourned to the 25th of January 2018.

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By: Fred Djabanor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Cross-examination of NCA Legal Director ends appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Information available to Citi Business News indicates that the issue has led to tension between the workers and the management.

The agitated workers, most of whom are from Airtel, say the offers are in sharp contrast to what was agreed earlier by the Communications Ministry, management as well as workers following the merger.

The National Communications Authority (NCA), in September last year [2017], approved the merger between Tigo and Airtel.

The new entity assumes the second biggest telecom in terms of market share.

Meanwhile Citi Business News understands management has been meeting with the aggrieved workers over the issue and a solution is expected by next week.

–

By: Citibusinessnews.com/Ghana

The post Airtel Tigo workers up in arms over redundancy packages appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This confirmation comes almost a year after President Akufo-Addo appointed him as acting Director-General of the NCA.

[contextly_sidebar id=”NlK9G4pMMHY4yjHEyViJ9v7JC1bod8bc”] He took over from William Tevie who occupied the position from June 22, 2015.

Mr. Anokye worked as a Telecommunications Service Manager with National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

At NASA, he was responsible for Integrated Service Network Information Technology.

Mr. Anokye was the Technology Director of the NPP in the 2016 Campaign Team, and he is said to be the ‘architect’ behind a telecommunications platform developed to collate results received by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) during the December 2016 presidential and parliamentary elections.

At NASA, he managed a team of highly technical network engineers who administer NASA’s Global Mission Telecommunication Wide Area Network (WAN); planned, configured, installed, and managed the robust secure traffic engineered MPLS Backbone that transport data, voice, and video from and to Space Shuttles, the International Space Station, the Deep Space Network and numerous Satellites, as well as other “Man” and “Unmanned” spacecrafts.

As a Telecommunications engineering service manager at NASA GSFC, Mr. Anokye worked collaboratively in many Telecommunications Planning exercises worldwide with Telecom and Network engineers from Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA),

He also worked with the German Space Operations Centre (GSOC), Canadian Space Agency (CSA), Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO – Dongara) and many other national Space Programs like the Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) in California.

He attended the University of Maryland.

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By: Akosua Ofewaa Opoku/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Joe Anokye confirmed as NCA’s Director-General appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The Director of Legal Services of NCA, who is also the first prosecution witness in the case, brought her testimony to an end while she was subsequently cross-examined by Mr. Thaddeus Sory, private legal practitioner, who is lawyer for the former NCA Board Chairman, Eugene Baffor Bonnie, one of the four accused persons.

The former Board Chairman and four others including the immediate past Director General of the Authority, William Tevie, are are facing trial for allegedly causing financial loss to the state.

[contextly_sidebar id=”hhevHSCZ1SirFPeCU8J5z6wVSBcA3zEc”]Mrs. Asafo Adjei, who served as Secretary to the previous Board of the NCA before the Board headed by Eugene Baffor Bonnie, was asked to proceed on her accumulated leave in 2015, upon the induction of the new Board.

Abena Asafo Adjei told the Court that she was upset about the Board’s directive to her to proceed on leave.

Answering a question posed by Thaddeus Sory on her reaction to the directive, the witness said she was indeed upset by that order.

Thaddeus Sory said: “I suggest to you that you must have been very upset when you were asked to go home”

To which the Witness replied: “Yes, that is the case. It’s only normal I feel that way”.

The witness had earlier told the court in the early period of the cross-examination that she was not unhappy with the decision, and had no plans of revenge when Thaddeus Sory suggested that was her motivation for being a witness in the case.

NCA Board didn’t approve withdrawal of $4m – Legal Director

During her testimony earlier in the day, Abena Asafo Adjei told the High Court that the money withdrawn from the NCA’s account, which was used to purchase the security equipment did not have the approval of the board of the Authority.

According to her, minutes of Board meetings during the period from 2015 till date, do not show any request and approval brought before members of the board.

Mrs. Asafo Adjei also added that, the only request for external support had to do with some Ghc2 million for the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation.

She had also on Tuesday told the court that she had no knowledge of the supposed contract signed between the Authority and Infralocks Development Limited.

Background

The case in question involves the former Director General of the NCA, William Tevie and four others, who have been arraigned for alleged fraud and for causing financial loss to the state over the alleged fraudulent $6 million contract signed between the NCA and Infraloks Development Limited (IDL).

The five are said to have fraudulently withdrawn some four million dollars from NCA accounts without justification.

Reports indicate that an Israeli company, NSO Group Technology Limited was contracted to supply the surveillance equipment at the cost of $6 million, to enable National Security monitor conversations of persons believed to be engaged in terrorism.

IDL was also reportedly charging $2 million to facilitate the transaction, bringing the total sum to $8 million.

But the three, through the said contract, allegedly withdrew $4 million from the accounts of the NCA and have failed to account for it.

But only $1 million was allegedly paid into the accounts of the Israeli company.

AG, defence lawyers argue over hearing days

At the last meeting, it was agreed that the hearings will be done on Tuesdays and Thursdays following arguments put across by both Attorney General, Gloria Akuffo, and defence lawyers.

While the AG’s office was pushing for the case to be heard every working day in a week, lawyers of the accused persons argued for once a week, citing among other things, the poor health conditions of their clients.

Resolving the disagreement between the lawyers, the judge, Justice Kyei Baffour, ruled that the case will be heard twice a week, and further asked the AG’s office to furnish the defence with all the documents they will rely on to allow for a speedy trial.

–

By: Fred Djabanor & Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Thaddeus Sory grills NCA’s Legal Director in court appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to her, minutes of Board meetings during the period from 2015 till date, do not show any request and approval brought before members of the board.

Mrs. Asafo Adjei also added that, the only request for external support had to do with some Ghc2 million for the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation.

[contextly_sidebar id=”JvwvnoqfPTmu9xqxu5LxwyaUJIVDVXDM”]Mrs. Asafo Adjei was testifying in the case in which a former Director General of the NCA, William Tevie, a former Board Chairman Eugene Baffoh Bonnie, and three others, are facing trial for fraudulently withdrawing four million cedis from the account of the NCA.

The Director of Legal Services of the NCA, who is the first prosecution witness in the case, brought her testimony to an end today [Thursday].

NCA Legal Director denies knowledge of $4m deal

Abena Asafo Adjei, early on Tuesday told the court that she had no knowledge of the supposed contract signed between the Authority and Infralocks Development Limited.

According to her, as head of the NCA’s legal division, although she is responsible for the drafting of contractual documents, she had no knowledge of this particular contract between the NCA and Infraloks Security Limited.

The witness further added that, she only came across the contract when the investigator handling the case came to her office and handed the document to her.

Madam Asafo Adjei revealed that, when she carried out her checks, she found nothing about the contract.

Mrs. Asafo Adjei is the first prosecution witness in the case arising from the contract that has seen former Board Chair of the NCA, Eugene Baffuor Bonnie, former Directer General William Mathew Tevie, and three others charged with causing financial loss to the state.

Background

The case in question involves the former Director General of the NCA, William Tevie and four others, who have been arraigned for alleged fraud and for causing financial loss to the state over the alleged fraudulent $6 million contract signed between the NCA and Infraloks Development Limited (IDL).

The five are said to have fraudulently withdrawn some four million dollars from NCA accounts without justification.

Reports indicate that an Israeli company, NSO Group Technology Limited was contracted to supply the surveillance equipment at the cost of $6 million, to enable National Security monitor conversations of persons believed to be engaged in terrorism.

IDL was also reportedly charging $2 million to facilitate the transaction, bringing the total sum to $8 million.

But the three, through the said contract, allegedly withdrew $4 million from the accounts of the NCA and have failed to account for it.

But only $1 million was allegedly paid into the accounts of the Israeli company.

AG, defence lawyers argue over hearing days

At the last meeting, it was agreed that the hearings will be done on Tuesdays and Thursdays following arguments put across by both Attorney General, Gloria Akuffo, and defence lawyers.

While the AG’s office was pushing for the case to be heard every working day in a week, lawyers of the accused persons argued for once a week, citing among other things, the poor health conditions of their clients.

Resolving the disagreement between the lawyers, the judge, Justice Kyei Baffour, ruled that the case will be heard twice a week, and further asked the AG’s office to furnish the defence with all the documents they will rely on to allow for a speedy trial.

–

By: Fred Djabanor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post NCA Board didn’t approve withdrawal of $4m – Legal Director appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.