[ad_1]
The rural network project financing agreement has been officially signed between the Ministry of Communications, the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC) and the Export-Import Bank of China.
Huawei will deploy more than 2,000 Rural Star sites for Ghana, providing voice and data services to more than 3.4 million people in underserved and underserved communities to extend national mobile communications coverage from 83% to 95%.
This will greatly accelerate local economic development while improving people’s livelihoods. The project will be completed in September 2021.
Although mobile communications in Ghana have experienced rapid development in recent years, rural telecommunications development is still relatively lagging behind.
The lack of rural communication network infrastructure greatly restricts the development of the rural economy, as a result of which the Government of Ghana has taken a number of positive steps to promote rural telephone services and digital inclusion in communications. rural and marginalized.
This novel initiative is led by the Ministry of Communication of the Government of Ghana through GIFEC and will be leased to national operators (Mobile Network Operators) who will be responsible for the expansion of the market and the development of users once it is completed.
Huawei is committed to bringing the digital world closer to all individuals and families and to continually providing rural network solutions.
Since 2017, Huawei has launched three innovative solutions focused on achieving optimal network construction and operation cost for different rural scenarios including the Rural Star, Rural Star Lite and Rural Star Pro solutions. In this particular project, the Rural Star solution developed locally through Ghana’s collaborative effort.
This indigenous rural flagship solution transforms microwaves or satellite into a traditional rural grid solution into wireless relays, simple pole towers and diesel generators into clean and green solar energy. Compared with traditional rural network solutions, the rural star reduces the cost by more than 50%.
Currently, Rural Star has been used commercially in more than 110 countries around the world, serving a population of more than 40 million.
GIFEC, through the Rural Telephone Project, has deployed 400 rural star sites in more than 2,000 rural communities, providing mobile network coverage to more than 1,200,000 people in Ghana.
According to GIFEC Administrator Abraham Kofi Asante, “The project was implemented through a Tripartite Cooperation Model with the Mobile Network Operator (MNO) and Huawei as a provider of technical solutions. This effective partnership has resulted in considerable cost savings and a broader expansion of rural connectivity.
“Partnering with Huawei on this project, therefore, will ensure that all people in Ghana are part of the Government’s digitization agenda and improve the socioeconomic well-being of people living in rural Ghana. These beneficiaries will be able to communicate effectively with family, friends and conduct business transactions with people around the world, ”he added.
Commenting on the project, Communications Minister Ursula Owusu-Ekuful said: “ICT development plays a vital role in revitalizing the national economy, especially in promoting rural economic development. Accelerating the improvement of rural communications facilities is one of our important agendas.
“We selected Huawei as a partner in this rural network project, as we have seen Huawei’s tireless efforts to bridge the digital divide. We hope that the project can be completed as soon as possible so that people in more remote areas can enjoy the benefits of mobile broadband. “
GIFEC is the agency of the Universal Access Fund of the Ministry of Communications, whose mandate is to provide universal access to all people through the use of affordable ICTs for socio-economic development.
Huawei is a leading global provider of smart information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and devices.
Huawei operates in more than 170 countries and regions, serving more than three billion people around the world.
They are committed to bringing digitization to all people, homes and organizations for a smart and fully connected world.
