The Telecommunications Chamber has warned against the renewal of 2G spectrum as 2G licenses expire at the end of 2019.
Some service providers are currently deploying 3G technology on 2G spectrum to enable them provide services for people within un-served and under-served areas.
But as the 2G licenses expire this year, Telcos operating on that spectrum would have to go for a license renewal at a fee next year.
The CEO of the Telecoms Chamber, Kenneth Ashigbey, says it will be more beneficial for government to make 4G cheaper for operators to acquire than to renew 2G licenses.
He believes Ghana will become a dumping ground for outmoded 2G products.
“The issue of the 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G is a big conversation that we are hoping that we can have with the Ministry of Communication, the NCA and all of that because as I say to you, 2G licenses are expiring, and during Kufuor’s time the argument was that when this expires, when we are renewing it, we will move to technology neutrality, we have been asking that question”.
“Once the spectrum has been sold to you, its just like the road to Kumasi that has been given to you and then you are told that the road has been given to you so buy this particular road and drive 3 kilometers per hour. This other road can drive 100 kilometers and then they are building different roads, whiles you could have decided that the same road that has been given to you like the spectrum, depending on the technology you are using, you can run it, and the 4G spectrum is also very expensive, and as a country we don’t want to become a dumping ground for technology”.