The National Communications Authority (NCA) has announced that Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) will reassess their operations and consider prioritizing and allocating more data resources to key stakeholders.
This decision comes as they collaborate with Subsea Cable Landing Service Providers to enhance internet data capacity progressively.
In its fifth update regarding the undersea cable disruptions, released on Monday, March 18, the NCA disclosed that this initiative was agreed upon during a meeting with various stakeholders.
These stakeholders include entities such as the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Ghana Association of Banks (GAB), Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems (GhIPSS), Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE), Central Securities Depository, Ghana Water Company Limited, Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), and others.
The objective of the meeting was to address the challenges facing financial and public utility service providers due to the current data connectivity disruptions affecting banking transactions and digital payments for utilities such as water and electricity.
As a result of the discussions, it was agreed that MNOs would review their operations and consider prioritizing and allocating more data resources to critical services.
This move aims to mitigate the impact of the disruptions on essential services while efforts are made to improve internet data capacity in collaboration with Subsea Cable Landing Service Providers.
Additionally, it was suggested that financial and utility service providers should explore hosting critical services locally in the medium to long term. This would ensure continuous service delivery during significant disruptions and leverage local internet exchanges such as the Ghana Internet Exchange (GIX) and the Accra Internet Exchange (AIX).
The meeting also highlighted that Subsea Cable Landing Service Providers and MNOs are progressively receiving capacity from their international partners as they work towards full restoration of data services.