Telecommunication Operators Challenged To Provide Quality Service.

The chairman of the National Communications Authority, Mr. Totobi Quakyi has called on the telecommunication operators in the country to be committed to providing their costumers with consistently, high quality of service delivery He made this call at the NCA’s inauguration of the industry’s forum in Accra saying the recent expression of sheer public dissatisfaction with the quality of service rendered by the telecommunication operators in the country is a clear signal that the Ghanaian consumer can no longer be taken for granted. Mr. Quakyi anounced that, the 2002-2008 period as the second phase of the telecommunication growth in Ghana, saw the rationalization of the market which was accompanied by competition among the operators. He said this led to a quantum jump in the uptake of information communication and technology services particularly, telephony in the country.

He however said that the high growth in the sector and the associated high penetration rates brought in its trail consumer dissatisfaction largely as a result of poor quality in service delivery.

He said, this unfortunate situation has caught up with the NCA board to squarely face its responsibility to lead from the front in seeking corrective measures and improvement in the telecommunication industry. He quickly added that the current NCA board does not only believe in allocating frequencies and issuing licenses, but also, holding licenses accountable and liable within the context of the conditions spelt therein as well as other relevant provisions of the electronic communication Act 775 of 2008.

He stated that, the challenge before the NCA therefore is to strike a balance between ensuring a healthy development in the industry as well as addressing public concerns raised over environmental issues.

Mr. Quakyi stated that, regarding these corrigenda, the industry forum is expected to play a vital role in Ghana’s telecom industry by working collaboratively on the development of key standards and codes of practice that underpin the digital economy.

He encouraged the industry participants to work together to promote healthy competition and investment in the sector and also accelerate the introduction of new generation services coupled with excellence in costumer service. Concluding his speech, Mr. Quakyi also touched on the mobile number portability (MNP) which he said; the Authority is in the planning phase to deploy. According to him, the facility which will allow for costumer freedom of choice and the right of movement will hopefully compel operators to enhance their levels of service or lose the “consumer-Cedi vote” since consumers would want to move to networks that will provide greater value for their money.

Also speaking at the inauguration was the minister for communication; Honorable Haruna Iddrisu who commended the board of the NCA for establishing the industry forum in which the board itself including he, the minister, are participating as observers. He mentioned that this fulfils part of the theme of Government’s development strategy of institutionalizing transparency and accountability. He challenged the NCA to intensify its monitoring activities to ensure compliance to its guidelines including issues of interconnection and quality of service.

He also charged the Authority to publish for the public information, quality of service standards and obligations of the service providers as well as monthly reports on operators’ activities.

Mr. Mahama pledged his ministry’s support to the NCA to rigidly enforce its regulations and guidelines in order that Government’s development objective would be realized.