Telecom Service providers promise improved services

Telecommunication Service providers in the country have assured Ghanaians that improved services would be made available to them by the end of March next year.

They explained that by that time, enough cell sites would be built in various parts of the country to make it possible to extend ?One Touch? and Westel services to places like Kumasi and the two Upper regions.

Representatives of the two service providers and other telecom service providers in the country gave the assurance at a media encounter organised by the Ministry of Communications and Technology in Accra yesterday.

They claimed that their inability to produce more and extend to the remotest parts of the country is due primarily to unavailability of funds and the inability of the National Communications Authority (NCA) to provide them with facilities.

Mobitel and Spacefon reassured their customers that inter-connection which has been one of their major constraints would be overcome, adding, ?inter-connection is no serious problem, all that is needed is understanding of one another?.

On the allegation by government that Ghana Telecom is unable to meet its part of the contract in providing specific number of telephone lines, Ghana Telecom said it is not wholly true, but that the company met part of their contract and even overlap them in some areas.

The company confessed that they were not able to meet their obligation in some parts of the contract and blamed that on lack of funds.

On the allegation that Telekom Malaysia was demanding $200 million as its share in Ghana Telecom, Hon Felix Agyepong, Minister of Communications and Technology, said he has not received any valuation report to that effect, adding, Price Water House has been engaged by the government as its consultants to work that out.

The minister explained that the government is not running Ghana Telecom, ?we are only responsible for the appointment of the board, which we did?, he added.

Earlier, the minister explained that the interaction with the media was to explain the state of the industry and offer information on the programme of development being contemplated.

He said contrary to impressions of hostility and bitterness that commonly characterise competitive situations, yesterday?s meeting showed the existence of harmony and friendliness which would enable the competitors to explain some of the issues and respond to some concerns related to the industry.

The minister called for open demonstration of goodwill on the part of the operators and said it would be appreciated that this would mark the beginning of a lasting partnership between the industry and the media.