Surfline first 4G LTE goes commercial in Ghana

Wholly-owned Ghanaian communication firm Surfline, has finally launched its much-talked about fourth-generation (4G) Long Term Evolution (LTE) network with a commitment of changing the local Internet industry by providing the fastest Internet and data communication services ever in the country.

The launch of Surfline’s commercial operations in Accra makes a Ghanaian firm the first to deploy fourth-generation LTE services, reported to be the biggest in Africa.

The company’s official launch introduced Ghana’s first 4G LTE network, giving both consumers and business internet speeds that are ten times faster than 3G services currently on offer.

Marking a historic occasion, Surfline, the only telecom company owned 100% by Ghanaians on Tuesday announced mouth-watery offers with free devices and double bonus for life, for all new customers.

Dr. Yaw Akoto, CEO of Surfline explained that operations of the company will centre on providing unrivalled data communication services to customers that have need for speed and continuous connectivity.

“We want to provide LTE-based services that will outperform existing telcos. Not only is Surfline the first to pioneer the 4G LTE network in Ghana that will deliver Internet speeds that are up to 10 times faster than anything on the Ghanaian market today, Surfline has the largest one-time deployment of the 4G LTE network in Africa.

“We see a Ghana where people and business experience a true mobile broadband. Today, Ghana joins the ranks of 4G LTE players in the world. That means Surfline will be able to deliver greater speed, capacity; better quality and reliability than any network in Ghana, as well as unparalleled customer experience.

“As Ghanaians ourselves, we believe that people living and working in Ghana deserve the best. Across the world, people are enjoying super-fast internet speeds powered by 4G LTE and Surfline is proud to bring this into Ghana for the first time; and for Ghanaians to experience the difference this brings”, he said.

On her part, the Head of Marketing Communications at Surfline, Rosey Fynn however stated that “with strong reliable network, we will actually be able to increase the internet penetration to get Ghana to be a part of a connected world.”

She also mentioned that her outfit will, next year, roll out their services to the Ashanti and Western regions, this is to position Surfline as the first choice internet service provider in Ghana.

“Our plan is to rollout nationwide and do that quickly, our goal is to be across the rest of the country in a couple of years”, she noted.

Surfline has also unveiled a matchless shopping experience at its flagship shop in Osu (near Firefly) and has also opened further shops in Accra at East Legon (American House), where customers can experience and purchase the latest 4G LTE-enabled devices, SIM cards and top-up vouchers. Surfline kiosks have also been established across Accra and Tema, where customers can purchase Surfline SIM cards and top-up vouchers.

A zero-rated website: www.surflinegh.com has also been introduced, where customers can access all the information they need on Surfline’s services, buy data packages and top-up credit on their accounts with debit cards. Customers can find out much more through the website and Surfline GH page on Facebook.

Currently, there are more than 100 licenced Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the country -- in addition to the six mobile network operators that are all offering data services at a price that is seen by many ISPs as anti-competitive.

With the GSM Association (GSMA) predicting that mobile networks in sub-Saharan Africa could experience a 25-fold increase in traffic in the next four years, the LTE standard could have a vital role to play in meeting burgeoning demand for mobile data services in way that allows customers to interact with the world via next-generation apps, devices and solutions.