Mobitel Faces Operational And Financial Difficulties

The problems affecting the smooth operations of Ghana’s first mobile phone operator- MOBITEL in respect of its earmarked GSM network are far from over. The company has been unable to fulfill its promise of deploying a GSM cellular network countrywide in addition to its existing Analogue system.

The management of Millicom Ghana, operators of MOBITEL have declined to respond to media enquiries about when it expects to commence the service. Company officials have resorted to questioning why the media has suddenly become so interested in when it expects to fulfill its promise to subscribers.

Information available to JOY-FM indicates that the company has so far failed to meet its license requirements for the operation of a GSM service. The company’s equipment, which were seized by the National Communications Authority (NCA) earlier in the year, have still not been released.

This is mainly because they have not satisfied the required conditions. Sources at the NCA maintained that MOBITEL would not be allowed to commence the GSM service until it fully meets laid-down conditions.

Mobitel, apart from the licensing issues being raised by the authority is also contesting the NCA over spectrum fees and as well lobbying Government for the release of its seized equipment.

Company sources say the subscriber levels of MOBITEL’s analogue service have fallen drastically as many people have switched-over to more advanced mobile phone networks.

The fortunes of MOBITEL have also reportedly dwindled a situation that has forced the company to take drastic measures, which include the withdrawal of allowances and the retrenchment of about twenty workers. The affected staff who were not offered any explanation received a month’s salary as ex-gratia award in the process.