MUMBAI: Ghana has signed agreements with Reliance Jio subsidiary, Tech Mahindra and other vendors to build 4G and 5G infrastructure as the African country aims to boost its telecommunications capabilities.
Ghana's state-backed Next-Gen Infrastructure Company (NGIC) has partnered with Jio arm Radisys, Tech Mahindra and Nokia to build the infrastructure needed to deliver affordable 5G mobile broadband services.
The West African country's Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, told reporters here that India is a "strategic choice" due to similar demographics and Ghana wants to replicate the Indian story of entry into telecommunications.
"Your (India's) demography is exactly like ours, the Jio model was launched only a few years ago, so the learnings are still fresh," he said.
NGIC has been allocated 5G spectrum and local telecom companies will use the shared infrastructure to launch services in the next six months.According to the PE report, the total contract is worth more than US$200 million.
Ekuful said Ghana is part of the 33-nation Smart Africa coalition, and other countries on the continent will be closely watching the rollout to see if they can also emulate it locally.
When told that Indian vendors have not done such deals in the past and why Ghana chose them rather than Chinese suppliers, he said, “It was a strategic choice for us. We do not want to get caught in any geopolitics. " Currently running.“We want what is best for your national interest.”
"Ghana wants to take advantage of India's experience in this field," he said.
Speaking on the deal, Radisys Chief Executive Arun Bhikshuswaran said, "Our communications platform and digital applications will help create new digital experiences that will empower the Ghanaian community and promote sustainable inclusive growth."
A statement said the lives of Ghanaians will be improved in various sectors including education, healthcare and digital payments through the modern telecom network.
The Ghanaian minister said the country is considering both 4G and 5G networks and satellite connectivity to deepen its telecommunications reach, and added that he is in talks with Elon Musk's Starlink for the same.Jio's rival in the local market, Bharti Airtel, is one of the most prominent mobile network operators in the African continent.
Ghana's state-backed Next-Gen Infrastructure Company (NGIC) has partnered with Jio arm Radisys, Tech Mahindra and Nokia to build the infrastructure needed to deliver affordable 5G mobile broadband services.
The West African country's Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, told reporters here that India is a "strategic choice" due to similar demographics and Ghana wants to replicate the Indian story of entry into telecommunications.
"Your (India's) demography is exactly like ours, the Jio model was launched only a few years ago, so the learnings are still fresh," he said.
NGIC has been allocated 5G spectrum and local telecom companies will use the shared infrastructure to launch services in the next six months.According to the PE report, the total contract is worth more than US$200 million.
Ekuful said Ghana is part of the 33-nation Smart Africa coalition, and other countries on the continent will be closely watching the rollout to see if they can also emulate it locally.
When told that Indian vendors have not done such deals in the past and why Ghana chose them rather than Chinese suppliers, he said, “It was a strategic choice for us. We do not want to get caught in any geopolitics. " Currently running.“We want what is best for your national interest.”
"Ghana wants to take advantage of India's experience in this field," he said.
Speaking on the deal, Radisys Chief Executive Arun Bhikshuswaran said, "Our communications platform and digital applications will help create new digital experiences that will empower the Ghanaian community and promote sustainable inclusive growth."
A statement said the lives of Ghanaians will be improved in various sectors including education, healthcare and digital payments through the modern telecom network.
The Ghanaian minister said the country is considering both 4G and 5G networks and satellite connectivity to deepen its telecommunications reach, and added that he is in talks with Elon Musk's Starlink for the same.Jio's rival in the local market, Bharti Airtel, is one of the most prominent mobile network operators in the African continent.
