Regulator of the telecom industry the National Communication Authority (NCA) has sanctioned Tigo and Airtel for failing to comply with obligations for 3G coverage.
According to a recent report released by the NCA a recent coverage assessment undertaken by it on all the telecom operators, except for Expresso, due to technical challenges, revealed that Tigo and Airtel failed to maintain 3G coverage in some areas in the Northern Region.
[contextly_sidebar id=”mnJuBjLzqZ21lmSBrpDRBwmN258hLDLt”]Airtel was sanctioned for failing to cover Karaga, while Tigo was sanctioned for failing to maintain coverage at Bimbilla and Wulensi.
Despite the sanction, the NCA has also directed the two to improve their coverage in areas in the region it failed the assessment by July, 2016.
The NCA has also directed all the telecom operators to extend 3G coverage to Daboya, Kumbungu, Sang and Tatale District Capitals by December, 2016.
Glo however has been granted a moratorium till December, 2016 to cover all District Capitals in the Northern Region.
The assessment which covered only the Northern Region was conducted between 10th February to 4th March 2016 for all Operators except for Expresso due to technical challenges.
According to the NCA as per the 3G Cellular Mobile license obligations, 3G-locked mode coverage samples were collected to obtain on the average a signal strength measurement which is representative of the coverage situation in each of the District Capital that was driven.
The 3G Signal Strength and their respective threshold for compliance considering the user’s perspective are categorized as no 3G coverage, poor, fair and good.
The assessment was done in 21 district capitals in the Northern regions including Tamale, Bimbilla, Bole, Buipe, Salaga, Yendi, Zabzugu and Savelugu.
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By: Vivian Kai Lokko/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana
