Lead campaigners against the high cost of internet data in the country, #SaveOurDataCampaign, say the recent sanctions imposed on Mobile Network Operator, MTN by the National Communications Authority (NCA) are not punitive enough.
The NCA on Thursday, December 5, 2019, fined MTN in excess of GHC 100,000 for failing to produce a report on the recent technical challenges the company experienced and also for not informing key stakeholders immediately about the challenges.
But speaking in an interview with Citi Business News, Convener of the #SaveOurDataCampaign, Saddick Adams, said a more definite and binding decision is needed to ensure that all Mobile Network Operators provide Ghanaians with high quality and affordable services.
“This is just a one-off thing. But it needs to be very consistent. I’m not too excited by the sanctions because we just want to see a clear decision being taken with respect to getting all the Telcos to provide quality service as well as a drastic reduction in the prices of data.”
Group threatens to hit the streets soon if data costs in Ghana remain high
The #SaveOurDataCampaign, has gone on to state that they will be forced to hit the streets this week, if stakeholders in the telecommunications sector fail to take concrete decisions to reduce cost of data.
Some Ghanaians on social media at the beginning of this month complained incessantly about challenges relating to the purchase of data on MTN. The CEO of MTN Selorm Adadevoh has come out to assure that the challenges have been fixed.
But according to Saddick Adams, fixing the recent problem is not enough. He wants government to lead the way in ensuring that Ghanaians enjoy affordable telecommunication services.
“As a matter of importance, government needs to consider the plight of the customer and eliminate or reduce the taxes on data to reduce the burden on Ghanaians. We are also calling on all the other stakeholders including but not limited to the National Communications Authority (NCA), and the Telecommunication companies, to meet and address the challenges confronting customers. If they fail to meet and come up with viable solutions soon, we will be forced to hit the streets next week” he noted.