MTN 3G pack. Photo by Oluniyi David Ajao.

I recently picked up an MTN “Exclusive 3G Pack” for 100 Ghana Cedis (about $69) and have used it extensively for about 14 days mainly in Accra. The information below is based on some of my experience using the mobile broadband service.

The 3G pack contained:

• an MTN-branded Huawei E160E USB stick
• an MTN Internet SIM

Technical Specification

Find the technical specifications and some explanation of the USB device, below:

• Network: HSDPA/UMTS (850/1900/2100MHz) & GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900MHz). This means the device can work across most GSM networks, globally.
• Speed: It supports 3.6Mbps HSDPA services. Since MTN offers connectivity over a 3.5G network, users can experience theoretical speeds of up to 3.6Mbps which is very high by today’s best standards.
• Memory: Micro SD Card Slot. It supports up to 4GB storage when a MicroSD card is placed in the included slot and therefore the device can double as a USB storage device.
• Communication: SMS services – users can send and receive text messages through the software bundled with the device. Though the device can support PC voice, the function is not enabled by MTN.
• Support data statistics: The bundled software offers extensive graphical statistics.
• Plug & Play: it works almost as soon as it is connected to a PC or Mac. It requires no seperate CD installation software.
• Cross-platform: Support Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista and Mac Operating Systems. From my tests, I also got it to work on an Ubuntu desktop version operating system.

MTN F@stlink software

A screenshot of MTN F@stlink software.

Installing the device was a fast and straight-forward process. The easy-to-use MTN F@stlink (the dialling software) was soon installed.

MTN F@stlink comes with the following features:

• Connection: allows users to connect and disconnect to the Internet
• Statistics: displays real-time statistics whilst the user is connected to the Internet and also includes a daily, monthly and yearly data counter.
• Text: enables the user to send and receive text messages as well as manage existing text messages.
• Phonebook: a simple contact management system that includes the following fields – Name, Mobile Number, Office Number, Home Number, E-mail Address.
• Airtime: enables the user to check existing data balance and as well as load a regular MTN airtime voucher.

MTN Internet SIM

The special SIM card bundled with the MTN “Exclusive 3G pack” had 2 Ghana Cedis airtime preloaded with amounted to 50MB data. Since this was a special SIM, the Internet tariff is lower, compared to the normal MTN SIMs. In order to compare the data tariff with that of Zain, I loaded 30 Ghana Cedis airtime and the total data derived amounted to 1.2GB. 400MB of data was credited each time I loaded a 10 Ghana Cedis airtime voucher. Note that “Zain Lite” Internet package offers only 1GB of data for 30 Ghana cedis.

The MTN Internet SIM is restricted from making or receiving calls by MTN even though it comes with a regular MTN mobile number. Calling the number, one hears the ringing buzz but there is no reaction on the PC nor any notice of a call. One hears an error message when a call attempt is made from the Internet SIM.

I tried the special SIM on a mobile phone and it worked normally with the exception of not taking nor making calls.

Usage

An MTN 3G package. Photo by Oluniyi David Ajao.

I tested the connectivity from McCarthy Hill area in Accra and experienced a signal strength that varied between 95 and 99%, with real download speeds reaching 1.8Mbps. MTN Ghana’s website www.mtn.com.gh loaded the fastest since they host their own website. Real speeds elsewhere might vary according to the time of day (peak or off-peak period), number of people connected to a particular base station, speed of travel (if the user is in motion), and signal strength.

Much of Accra is covered by MTN’s 3.5G network with EDGE filling the gap in patches without 3.5G. Using the service on the outskirts of Accra where only GPRS is available, speeds did not exceed a meagre 5kbps. This implies that MTN Broadband is best used where there is 3.5G network coverage.

According to MTN Ghana’s website:

MTN 3G service is available in Accra, Tema, Kumasi, Takoradi, Tarkwa, Bogoso, Ho, Koforidua, Cape Coast, Kasoa, Winneba, Tamale, Sunyani, Kenyasi, Techiman, Obuasi, Bolgatanga, Wa, Prestea, Damine, Ntoroso, Bibiani, Besomtwi, Bekwai, Aflao, Chirano and still counting.

In summary, MTN’s Mobile Broadband service is ideal is for home or small business users who have limited data usage but want to experience the high speed 3.5G technology offers. The entry fees are affordable as are the data tariffs. It is advisable to check if your area has 3.5G coverage before getting on board. You can do so by manually scanning the networks from a 3.5G phone.

MTN offers another device for connectivity, aside the USB stick:

3.5G F@stLink Router
MTN 3.5 G F@stlink router is a 3G cellular modem,which has an embedded wireless hotspot, with four Ethernet ports and a traditional phone jack. It is perfect for home or small offices and allows a user to sharea connection with multiple users. The router may also serve as a modem using the USB slot to provide a single connection to the user.

Did find this review useful or otherwise? Share your thoughts in the comments area.

MTN Mobile Money promo image

Ghana’s leading telecommunications provider, MTN, has successfully launched MTN Mobile Money in partnership with 9 banks ahead of its competitors to allow Ghanaians to perform a range of basic financial transactions using their handsets.

Subscribers can reap the benefits of this service without the need to open or have a bank account.

The service, which was launched at the International Conference Centre in Accra, will allow subscribers to have access to money beyond banking hours or at anytime.

MTN Mobile Money gives cash management freedom to subscribers in line with MTN’s pay off line: ‘everywhere you go’ for as long as users can access MTN’s network.

This service which will also be available on the Internet will enable users to save time for other activities.

Mr. Brett Goschen, MTN Ghana CEO, said “the introduction of MTN Mobile Money which is convenient, accessible, safe and easy demonstrates the company’s commitment to bring world class mobile services to subscribers in all parts of the country.” The Mobile Money platform allows non MTN customers (even those who do not have a cell phone) to transfer or receive money by using the services of the Authorised MTN Mobile Money Merchants. The secured system and processes conforms to best practices in the industry and highly regulated by relevant authorities.”

With this innovative product, subscribers would enjoy the convenience of easily transacting from the comfort of their homes or offices at any time of the day, instantly.

* CAL Bank, Ecobank, Fidelity Bank, GTBank, Intercontinental Bank, Merchant Bank, UBA, Stanbic, Zenith Bank

Nokia N96 is a mobile TV compatible handset

With DStv Mobile from MTN innovation, 11 channel bouquet are available including Africa Magic, SuperSport, Cartoon Network, BBC & CNN which are currently only accessible through television sets can now be easily accessed   by MTN customers in Accra & Tema on their mobile phone

The  DStv Mobile from MTN was launched at an impressive ceremony at Rhapsody in the Accra Mall to introduce the latest innovation from MTN to  customers and the public.

The launch of the DStv Mobile from MTN follows a chain of exciting services and products launched by MTN since the beginning of 2009.
Some of the innovative products include the community phone aimed at ensuring that MTN subscribers reach their relations in the remotest areas of Ghana with the MTN experience. The 3.5G technology was also introduced services like Video Calling which enables customers to see people they talk to as well as things they need to see, others are the MTN Mobile Broadband & MTN Loaded. The 3.5 G product was introduced with a variety of features to provide enhanced mobile telephony for MTN customers There was also the new network code, 054, to enable more people join the MTN family.

MTN Mobile TV has been introduced at a time when the world is looking forward to South Africa 2010 with much excitement. The prospects of seeing the beautiful game on mobile handsets increases the  thrill for the forthcoming global soccer event.

As the lead sponsor of, South Africa 2010 MTN is working to bring the soccer fiesta as close to its customers as possible. The  DStv Mobile from MTM, a service which transforms mobile phones into a mobile TV enable football lovers follow every detail of the event conveniently via their phone.

In a message to Ghanaian MTN customers CEO of Digital Mobile Television International DMTV Francois Theron expressed his excitement about the introduction of the Mobile TV in Ghana. He said plans are underway to ensure that subscribers get the best available and relevant programmes.  He added that “In a few weeks we will show all the matches of the 2009 Confederations Cup and later this year in August we will show LIVE matches of the English Premier League.”
The General Manager for Nokia West and Central Africa, Mark Pritchard, also said that Nokia is especially pleased to work together with DMTV and MTN, to offer consumers 12 months access to DSTV Mobile when they purchase a compatible handset.  He said some of the compatible handsets are Nokia N96 and N77, Nokia N79, N85, N86, N97, E75 and 5800.

MTN would continue partnering with strategic stakeholders and experts like these to bring innovative products and world class telecommunications to Ghana.

MTN continues to lead with even more innovative products for the benefit of our cherished customers and the public.

A mobile phone connected to a laptop computer. Image courtesy allaboutsymbian.com

Long before mobile phones became popular in Ghana, fixed lines offered by the national operator Vodafone Ghana (then known as Ghana Telecom) and to a limited extent WESTEL, were widespread among businesses, government offices, organizations and private homes of the elite. When Vodafone introduced dial-up internet and later broadband using ADSL technology, it was a natural progression for most to simply continue relying on Vodafone for connectivity. In Ghana today, most still rely on Vodafone despite the wide range of other options. Matter of fact, most ISPs rely on Vodafone for Internet bandwidth. This is because a certain submarine cable (SAT3) offers super-fast Internet connectivity, at very competitive rates, as compared to connectivity via satellite (VSAT). Most ISPs thus find it economical and technically sensible to route their International traffic via the SAT3 system. The downside is that Vodafone retains exclusivity over that submarine cable and therefore any technical problems from Vodafone directly related to that cable affects all ISPs relying on them for international network connectivity. It thus turns out that majority of the populace rely on Vodafone directly and indirectly, for international bandwidth.

Having created this background, I will explain what is happening as I type this. My main means of Internet connectivity has been down for about 24 hours now. My ISP relies on Vodafone for international connectivity. I have reliable information that Vodafone customers are still able to connect to the internet, albeit at very slow speeds. I am thus forced to switch to MTN and Zain. I have always used MTN for connecting to the Internet, when I am away from my base, or on the move. One might then wonder, why not simply switch to MTN permanently? Cost is the deterring factor. Mobile internet is usually expensive, in this part of the world and that pushes it to the background as backup. It plays that role excellently.

At this point, it is necessary to point out that the main cellular operators MTN, Tigo, Zain have their own international gateway for voice and data traffic and as such do not rely on Vodafone. Thus, downtimes from Vodafone do not usually affect the mobile operators and vice versa.

The following factors make mobile networks viable backups for Internet connectivity:

No monthly fees
What makes mobile internet unusable as the main means of Internet connectivity is what makes it perfect as a backup. Their pay-as-you-go model ensures that users only pay when they connect. There are no monthly fees nor connection fees.

Hardware ubiquity
Mobile phones that come embedded with at least GPRS modems are now mainstream. Users thus do not have to invest in additional hardware but simply need to connect their mobile device to their computer, install the necessary connectivity software and they can connect to the Internet within minutes.

Speed

With the right network and equipment, users can achieve speeds that Vodafone cannot offer to end users at this time. MTN and Zain offer theoretical speeds of at least 3.6 Mbits/s since their respective networks use 3.5G (HSDPA) technology in Accra, Tema and Kumasi. In addition to being within 3.5G coverage area, a user needs a 3.5G compatible mobile equipment (handset or data card) to be able to experience the high speed. Where there is no 3.5G coverage, the connection automatically switches to 3G, EDGE or GPRS, in that order. The lower technologies offer much lower speed with GPRS connectivity speed being comparable to the old dial-up system.

3.5G is still relatively new in Ghana, and as such, coverage is still being expanded into other parts of Ghana. Tigo and Vodafone have already contracted their respective network upgrades to their hardware partners.

Be aware

It is important to note that data rates on mobile networks in Ghana are relatively high. It is thus necessary to watch your data usage and limit your use to essential web activities. Also, some of the cellular networks do offer monthly bundled packages in addition to the pay-as-you-go pricing.

MTN Ghana

Action: Send a blank text message (SMS) to 686 from your MTN. Save the settings you received, to your phone. Select MTN DATA as default access point.

MTN Ghana

MTN Ghana, the leading mobile telecommunications operator in Ghana has announced the commercial rollout of its ultra powerful 3.5G technology at an impressive ceremony in Accra. The launch event themed Go Beyond, Experience our better life today took place at the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons in Accra and brought together members of the media, staff and Regulators. There were live demonstrations about the technology and the various services available to MTN customers. The occasion also marked the launch of an Internal Innovations Hub Project.

With the largest market share, widest coverage and competitive pricing, MTN’s ultra powerful 3.5G technology complements its existing 2G network to provide MTN subscribers with the widest coverage and consolidate its position as the leading telecommunication provider for Ghana whilst positively impacting every aspect of the lives of its customers. MTN will at this phase of the launch offer subscribers the flexibility to access a variety of services to customers in Accra and Kumasi as the rollout continues nationally. In addition to voice services, initial applications will include high-speed internet access at speeds significantly faster than dial-up, or GPRS connections, as well as video messaging and other multimedia services.

The MTN 3.5G launch marks an evolution in mobile technology for Ghana. Building on the existing superior coverage footprint, MTN 3.5G will initially achieve data speed transmission of up to 3.6megabits per second and will be expanded beyond 7.2 megabits per second. This major step forward by MTN will essentially put Ghana at the forefront of technology, in the league of top mobile operators globally.

Chief Executive Officer, MTN Ghana Brett Goshen said, “We are very pleased with the significant progress we have made in building an extensive 3.5G network and making it available to a large number of our valued customers.

Mr. Goshen added, “we are launching our 3.5G network with more than 7 times the number of 3.5G base stations than the next competitor. In addition, we are launching with the widest and best connection in Accra, Tema and Kumasi and will be expanding aggressively to all major cities in the months to come.”

With the commercial launch of the 3.5G services, MTN continues to show its commitment as the leading mobile operator in the Ghanaian market offering a wide range of services and technologies to suit different types of customers and situations including MTN Zone, Blackberry Services, Web Recharge, Community Phones and Seamless Roaming Services, calling USA, Canada and the UK at local rates to mention but a few of our myriad of innovative and compelling services.

Chief Marketing Officer George Kojo Andah added, “at MTN we are not just a company, we are a community that lives your passions and champions your aspirations. We will continue anticipating the current and emerging needs of all our targeted stakeholders and work with our people and the best technology to provide the highest service quality and speed. Our teams have already finished extensive testing of the 3.5G network, and we are extremely pleased with the results. We can also assure our customers that our tariffs will continue to be extremely competitive and our targeted customers will be able to enjoy our services with the best connection everywhere they go.”

Today’s launch follows the formal announcement of MTN’s 3.5G services earlier this year to introduce the technology and provide 3.5G services on a pilot basis.

The introduction of this latest service fulfills MTN’s pledge to bring world class telecommunications service to its subscribers and the general public. MTN will continue rolling out more innovative services into the market as promised.

About 3.5G

MTN 3.5G allows greater speed and efficiency in transmission of existing services including voice, text and data (that are available today) and more. For the corporate customers, having data download speeds equivalent to an ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) line at home means convenient business connectivity, efficiency, mobility & profitability.

For the young consumers, 3.5G brings endless possibilities to support a whole new suite of exciting multimedia services such as video streaming, games, music videos, sports, news and more.

Lastly, apart from voice calls, our customers can also make video calls with 3G enabled handsets, bringing them closer to their loved ones – a richer communication experience, the ‘?can see and speak’ at the same time!

The service is based on HSDPA, short for High-Speed Downlink Packet Access, which is a new protocol for mobile telephone data transmission. Commonly known as 3.5G (G stands for generation) technology, HSDPA is based on a packet switched suite of protocols (which offers several advantages over the existing circuit-switched techniques used for carrying mobile voice) and utilizes a number of techniques in parallel to increase the efficiency and reduce the latency. This allows higher call volumes and support for new and exciting multimedia data applications such as broadband access to the internet, emailing, mobile TV, video telephony and video conferencing from a mobile phone, PDA, or laptop.

MTN office in Osu, Accra

MTN Ghana announced the launch of their 3.5G network in January 2009. I have noticed that their 3.5G coverage in Accra is patchy but even where there is coverage, I have not been able to connect. I search manually for the 3.5G network and select it but get an error message: “Access not allowed”.

Calls to the customer service did not help much and so I headed to their special 3.5G booth in from of their Osu office. A gentleman there told me it was not open to the public yet. When I asked about the public announcement in January, he stated that was only a “soft launch” and access should be open to the public later this week.

Zain Africa CEO Mr Chris Gabriel selling a sim card to a new Zain Ghana customer at the flagship store in Osu on Oxford Street in Accra on the day the 3.5G network was launched. Photo courtesy: Zain.com

I listened to Philip Sowah, the Country Manager of Zain Communications Ghana Limited, being interviewed on Joy FM‘s Super Morning show one morning in the last quarter of 2008. It was at the eve of Zain’s network launch in Ghana. One thing I remember clearly was him saying Zain Ghana has so much network capacity, they are scared in a positive way. I wondered to myself: “What is he talking about? Why this much confidence? Is this a marketing gimmick?“  Zain eventually launched and I bought a Zain SIM card, just to experience Ghana’s first 3.5G network not that I was ready to ditch my MTN that had served me quite well for more than 5 years.

I recently bought a Nokia 5800 XpressMusic – a 3.5G high-capacity multimedia device from Alireta Mobile – and decided to give my Zain SIM a spin with the mind that should it serve me better, it would replace my MTN eventually. I have been blown away in the past few days and thus I feel compelled to document the positive difference I have experienced.

For well over a decade, MTN (hitherto known as Spacefon, then Areeba) has been the market leader in Ghana in terms of running the most sophisticated cellular network, and offering more useful value added services than its competitors. Not anymore. For the first time, MTN has a tougher competitor to contend with.

3.5G network coverage
MTN Ghana scrambled to unleash their 3.5G network on the Ghanaian airwaves after Zain’s loud entry into the telecom market. Zain’s 3.5G network has a wider coverage than that of MTN, in Accra. I have tested the two from Tete Quarshie interchange to McCarthy hill. From McCarthy hill to Osu. Zain even went a step further to publish their 3.5G network coverage on their website and the publication reveals that 3.5G is available in much of Accra and parts of Kumasi (Ghana’s 2nd commercial hub). Whilst at work, I make sure my phone is permanently on 3G network mode so I can experience the superior call quality and make/receive video calls on Zain. Neither of them has a perfect 3.5G coverage but Zain is ahead, from my checks.

Mobile Internet ‘Activation Fee’
Unlike MTN, Zain does not ask for a 5 Ghana Cedi “activation fee” for internet connectivity to be enabled on one’s SIM. Slot your Zain SIM into a capable GPRS/EDGE/3G/3.5G phone and the settings come tumbling in within minutes. Zain even sends you an MMS welcoming you to “A Wonderful World”.

Call cost summary
I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I get the total cost of a call I make, after the call is over. A message displays on my phone informing me of the amount deducted from my account for that call and the account balance I have left. Now, that is transperancy at its best. There is nothing like that on MTN.

SMS
I can update my Twitter account via SMS using Zain. MTN could not deliver SMS to the UK mobile number used by Twitter.com
Zain delivered to the same number, in 2 seconds.

I do not have to retry sending SMS multiple times and pray it goes through each time, on Zain. On the other hand, the little tricks I used on MTN are even begining to fail as I have a hard time sending international SMS from MTN.

Still on SMS, Zain has a neat online service called Zain Web2SMS. I can compose and send SMS from Zain’s website with the added convenience of typing on a computer keyboard. It is faster and better for me. Zain bills my prepaid account for each SMS sent. What is more exciting? Zain offers 5 free Zain to Zain SMS daily. MTN hardly ever gives anything for free. Hardly.

MMS
Zain’s MMS really works. I can zap photos and audio to loved ones’ phones or email accounts. MTN’s MMS has been epileptic for months now.

Missed call notification
Whenever my phone is switched off or out of cellular coverage area, I receive SMS notification from Zain when my phone is back online, informing me of the missed calls. I know MTN has been offering the same service for several years but I could not access it because they restricted it to post-paid subscribers only. I had been attracted to MTN’s post-paid offering for so long but I stayed away because of the $1,500 security deposit they required for international roaming. I am fine with prepaid roaming – thank you very much. I would rather leave my money in a fixed deposit account than hand it to MTN if I have no use for it.

Roaming
Talking about roaming, MTN quickly launched their “Seamless Roaming” service some weeks before Zain launched in Ghana. MTN’s Seamless Roaming is a very similar concept to Zain’s One Network. They both allow local subscribers to access the network of other subsidiaries, outside the home network. Example: Zain subscribers in Kenya can roam into the Zain networks in Tanzania, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Niger without hassles. Traveling subscribers can receive calls/SMS for free, and make calls at the same rate subscribers on the host network pay. MTN’s Seamless Roaming currently works in Cameroon, Nigeria, Benin Republic and Ghana.

Call Divert
You have no idea how useful this service is to me. I can divert calls all my calls unconditionally, or if I am busy, or if I do not answer the calls within a stipulated number of seconds, or if I am out of network coverage area. These settings come with even the most basic GSM phone but MTN has restricted its prepaid subscribers to “Call divert – if out of reach” and even that can only be diverted to their default Voicemail number only. On Zain, there is no single restriction and so I can divert my calls as I deem fit!

Zain Phone number Pre-registration
I was able to search for and book a phone number of my choice, even before the commercial launch. MTN doesn’t offer that convenience.

Over all, I am enjoying the Zain experience so far. What about you? What has been your experience with Zain in Ghana? Share your thoughts by leaving your comments now.

MTN

MTN Ghana, a telecommunication network, on Sunday assured its Northern Region customers that technical teams were working with other stakeholders to improve the company’s services in the area, within the next seven days.

The company said its attention has been drawn to media reports of the Consumer Advocacy Agency and the Right of the People, to embark on various actions to expresses their dissatisfaction with the company’s quality of service in the Region.

A statement signed by Ms Mawuena Dumour, Corporate Service Executive, of the company, explained that in the last three weeks, MTN has experienced disruptions in service in the region due to cuts made on its fiber by contractors from other competitor organizations. It said “MTN articulated those challenges to the National Communications Authority (NCA) and subscribers in the region with an understanding that the issues were being addressed.” The statement said MTN subsequently received commendation from some stakeholders in the region when marked improvements were noted in service quality.

It said the company viewed as very unfortunate the fact that the two groups both based in the region would plan such actions without making their concerns known to MTN.

The statement said ironically, this was happening “at a time MTN is engaged in extensive roll out of additional telecommunications equipment and latest optical fibre technology infrastructure to expedite the improvement of quality of service.” It said over the last two years since entering the Ghanaian market, MTN has invested more than 25 million dollars in the region, in telecommunications infrastructure compared with three million dollars prior to the company’s entry into the market. The statement said “Current roll out plans for the region expect to put in place more than 200 new telecommunications, cell sites this year and more than 280 infrastructure upgrades in the second quarter of this year.”

It said “MTN remains fully committed to open and constructive dialogue and is taking steps to engage, with leaders of the two groups, to fully arm them with information about, the actions the company has taken to ensure world class service in the Northern Region and in Ghana as a whole.”

Source: GNA

MTN

According to MTN, the 3.5G launch marks an evolution in mobile technology in Ghana and will put MTN Ghana at the forefront of technology and in the league of top mobile operators globally. 3.5G is the generic term used for the next generation of mobile communications systems that support the effective delivery of a range of data-orientated services. The technology also provides more efficient systems for the transmission of existing services such as voice, text and data, supporting far greater speeds than what is available today.

The Ag CEO Mazen Mroue said, “I am extremely delighted to announce the roll out of the 3.5G technology which puts MTN on the road to providing leading services to our valued customers.”

The Chief Technical Officer, Eben Albertyn and the Chief Marketing Officer, George Andah, took turns to explain the new technology and the benefits it will bring to MTN Customers.

‘I am especially delighted because the new technology being introduced today will enhance the overall network experience for our cherished customers as it will provide more efficient systems for the transmission of existing voice, text and data services,’ said George Andah.

‘While we continue to increase investments in network infrastructure and working in partnerships with all stakeholders, we are excited that the introduction of this new technology will complement initiatives aimed at improving the overall network quality.’ he continued.

‘3.5G brings with it a new suite of exciting multimedia services such as video streaming, games, music videos, sports, news and more. ’’ Mr Andah continued.

MTN will offer at this phase of the launch, mobile broadband and video calling that will enable fast data speed and allow users to see and talk to people they call in real time. More services will be introduced by MTN in due course.

The media was given the opportunity to experience the 3.5 G technology in a specially-constructed booth that will soon be placed at selected locations in the capital, to enable more subscribers to also experience the new technology.

MTN Ghana had recently launched services in the telecommunications industry including segmented tariffs, WECA (West and Central Africa) tariffs, BlackBerry and Seamless Roaming. MTN is currently the biggest cellular telecom operator in Ghana.

The new network code allotted by the industry regulator, National Communications Authority (NCA), will take effect from January 15,2009. In his address the Chief Marketing Officer, George Andah disclosed that the allocation of a new network code was to enable MTN respond to the continued interest in its products and services..

He said ‘the ever-increasing support from customers keen to benefit from MTN’s superior value proposition has occasioned MTN ‘s application for a new network code.’

‘While MTN remains grateful for the continued support from Ghanaians, it is also important to plan in advance and make room for even more customers to enjoy the superior experience MTN is committed to providing for its customers,’ George Andah added.

The Chief Executive Officer of MTN, Brett Goschen, said the introduction of the new code was to give potential customers a chance to enjoy MTN’s services. He said MTN would soon launch a 3.5G Network to provide high data speed and internet access in addition to numerous and innovative products and services. The company would also increase investment in capital expenditure including building a countrywide fibre network to improve the overall network quality.

To make calls or send SMS, customers are required to add the relevant prefix to the number being dialed, e.g 024 and the customer’s unique number(024 1000000 or 054 and the customer’s unique number(054 1000000).For International calls, customers will have to dial the country code, the relevant prefix and customer’s unique number; e.g. +233 24 1000000 or +233 54 1000000.

MTN Ghana

Scancom Ltd. has now become a member of the MTN Group. The MTN Group brings with it, a wealth of experience and innovation in the telecommunications industry. Connecting over 44 million people in 21 countries throughout Africa and the Middle East, MTN is sure to further enrich Ghana’s telecom market