Accra, Dec. 17, GNA - Zain has announced its commencement of commercial services in Ghana with the launch of the first 3.5G network on the continent outside South Africa.

Zain Ghana's network will offer its customers with an ultra high-speed internet access and for the first time in Ghana the ability to make video-calls and use rich multimedia content, including sending video clips, music and pictures at the touch of a button. The service offers Zain customers favourable rates, free of roaming surcharges for cross-border communications. Ghanaian Zain customers can access the One Network service when travelling to Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Nigeria, Niger, Tanzania and Uganda with plans to be fully operational in all other 'One Network' countries by the end of the year.

Speaking at the launch of the mobile service in Accra, the Zain Group Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Saad Al Barrak welcomed Ghana to the Zain family and said: "Ghana is important to Zain and we have invested heavily in bringing the latest technology to create the best network in West Africa, he added

Mr Chris Gabriel, the Chief Executive Officer of Zain Africa said the service will have a positive socio-economic impact on many as affordable cross-border communications.

Mr Gabriel said the service will offer the opportunity for loved ones to stay in touch, as well being an impetus in stimulating economic activity, improving the livelihoods of many communities." He said the operation will have numerous customer contact points, including walk-in centres that will be open till 8pm and call centres which are open twenty four hours, seven days a week. The state-of-the-art call centre will offer service in English and two of the most widely spoken local groups of languages in West Africa, Akan and Hausa, he said.

Mr Philip Sowah, Country Manager for Zain Ghana commented; "Customers are the driving force behind the organisation therefore customer care is one of the key pillars of Zain. Mr Sowah said their goal is to focus on offering them appealing products, with a level of service that is second to none.