Three months ago, the operations of Starlink, the satellite internet service provided by SpaceX, owned by Elon Musk, were deemed illegal in Ghana.
In a press release issued on December 7, 2023, the National Communications Authority (NCA) stated that Starlink has not been licensed to operate in the country, and none of its equipment has been approved.
As such, the Authority warned the public against purchasing any equipment or services from Starlink. Also, individuals or companies involved in the sale or operation of Starlink services were directed to cease and desist immediately.
Starlink Operations are Illegal in Ghanahttps://t.co/XQbdekDJj3 pic.twitter.com/e6sybAqvOc
— NCA Ghana (@NCAGhana) December 7, 2023
Presently, it appears that the very company Ghana did not want to do business with is the very one that can mitigate the effect of the network crisis that has hit several countries, such Liberia, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Ghana, among others.
On Thursday, March 14, mobile network customers observed hours of disruption in internet, data and voice services providers by telecommunication companies in the country.
The difficulty experienced by companies and members of the general public has been attributed to outages on multiple submarines optic fibre cables that come into Ghana.
The NCA, in its update on the crisis over the weekend, noted that information gathered indicates that it would take at least five weeks for challenges with the submarines optic fibre cables be resolved.
On Monday, March 18, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, who heads the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation, which oversees the running of the NCA, made an appearance before Parliament to brief the House on the steps government has taken to ensure businesses and Ghanaians are protected during the internet crisis.
Part of the interim solution is to run to Starlink for assistance, she said.
“We have licensed satellite gateway air stations, landing rights, and satellite air station networks. One web has already been licensed. Starlink is in the process of being licensed and other operators are being encouraged to land in Ghana,” the minister said.
MP for Tamale Central, Murtala Mohammed has accused Communications Minister, Ursula Owusu of plagiarism, claiming her speech mirrored Nigerian Commission of Communication's publication.
The allegations were made during Parliament proceedings on March 18, 2024, amid internet… pic.twitter.com/dkoQr2R0ee
— CITI FM 97.3 (@Citi973) March 19, 2024
The issue of Starlink’s past was brought up in Parliament and Madam Owusu-Ekuful has assured that the ministry has conducted due diligence and is prepared to grant an operating license to Starlink to enhance internet accessibility.
“A draft framework was subjected to industry consultation and approved by industry. The objective of the framework is to provide increased regulatory oversight for the services, more connectivity solutions or options for consumers, and other measures,” she added.
She noted, however, that the service provided by Starlink is costly. According to her, there are plans to involve other sector players to serve individuals across various economic backgrounds.
“However, I must remind us all that the fee charged by the satellite, low-earth orbit satellite operators like Starlink for hardware and services show that they will cater for high-end value subscribers because they are expensive.
“We’re currently also having discussions about affordable back-haul satellite solutions with all satellite service providers under the auspices of the ITU. This conversation has been ongoing for a while, but I believe what has happened in the recent past will activate and energise these discussions for solutions to be reached soon.”
As of December 2023, it was reported that some middlemen in Ghana were offering Starlink services, quoting installation prices ranging between GHS1,100 and GHS18,000 monthly.
Under the current circumstances, these prices are likely to increase by half of these prices or double due to factors such as increasing demand or producer pricing.
tigpost.co