Christabel DANSO ABEAM | Published by Juliet Etefe
MTN Ghana has identified fibre broadband connectivity as a critical infrastructure for accelerating Ghana’s digital transformation, as the telecom operator seeks to expand home internet adoption across the country.
The company said its home connectivity business formed a key part of MTN Group’s Ambition 2030 strategy, which is anchored on three pillars — connectivity, fintech and infrastructure.
Speaking at a Bright Conversation engagement in Accra, Chief Home Officer of MTN Ghana, Richard Acheampong, said the company’s ambition is beyond deploying fibre optic cables to building the infrastructure required to enable Ghanaians to participate fully in the digital economy.
“We don’t want to see ourselves as just deploying fibre. We are doing something that transcends the technology that is core to what we need as a country — building the infrastructure that will enable Ghanaians to be part of the digital economy,” he said.
Mr. Acheampong said the role of homes had evolved, with households increasingly becoming centres for work, education, entertainment and business.
He noted that the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift towards digital lifestyles by showing that many activities traditionally conducted outside the home could effectively be carried out remotely.
“The home is no more a place where we go and sleep. It has become the centre for many things. Education is happening there, entertainment is happening there, work is happening there, and for all these activities to thrive, we need to ensure the right internet connectivity is in place,” he said.
US$1bn digital infrastructure investment
Mr. Acheampong disclosed that MTN Group had committed US$1 billion towards strengthening digital infrastructure across its markets, including investments in fibre networks, digital technologies, applications and related infrastructure.
He said the investment would support access to reliable internet services for activities such as online meetings, digital learning, streaming, smart home applications and online businesses.
While internet speed remained a major focus in connectivity discussions, he stressed that customers valued reliability and consistency.
He said MTN Home currently offered speeds of up to 500Mbps, but the company’s priority was delivering a seamless internet experience.
Addressing adoption barriers
Mr. Acheampong identified misconceptions that fibre broadband was expensive and only suitable for affluent households as a major barrier to adoption.
He urged the media to partner with MTN in educating the public on the value of fixed broadband and the difference between mobile internet and fibre connectivity.
“We see the media as our partners, co-authors of writing the script of building the right infrastructure for our digital economy,” he said.
According to him, while mobile internet serves users on the move, fibre broadband supports multiple users and connected devices within a household, making it suitable for remote work, online learning, streaming and smart home services.
He cited the example of a family living in a wooden structure that had subscribed to fibre internet to support their children’s education, saying it demonstrated how reliable connectivity could help bridge digital inequality.
Improving customer experience
On service delivery, Mr. Acheampong said MTN had digitised its fibre onboarding process, allowing customers to check availability, apply for services, make payments and schedule installations through digital platforms.
He said the company aimed to complete installations within 72 hours after payment, with about half of current installations completed within 24 hours.
Customers also have access to support teams, self-help resources and proactive network monitoring systems to identify and resolve faults.
Future of connected homes
Looking ahead, Mr. Acheampong said MTN expected homes to become increasingly connected, with digital infrastructure supporting services such as smart home solutions, remote education, digital entertainment and home-based businesses.
He concluded that the adoption of fibre broadband would improve productivity, expand access to digital services and support Ghana’s transition towards a digitally driven economy.
Source: thebftonline.com