MTN Ghana has announced a long-term strategic plan to phase out its legacy 2G and 3G network infrastructures. Speaking at the Digital Africa Summit in Accra, CEO Stephen Blewett explained that the move is designed to optimize spectrum efficiency, allowing the company to reallocate frequency bands to more advanced 4G and 5G technologies.
This transition is essential for providing faster data speeds and more reliable connectivity as Ghana’s digital economy expands.
Despite the technical benefits, the telecommunications giant acknowledged significant hurdles to an immediate shutdown. A substantial portion of MTN’s subscriber base still relies on older networks, often due to the high cost of 4G-enabled smartphones or a desire to strictly control data usage.
Mr. Blewett emphasized that the company is adopting a “managed transition” approach rather than an abrupt switch-off to prevent the digital exclusion of millions of Ghanaians who are currently limited by their hardware.
To facilitate this migration, MTN intends to work on making 4G devices more affordable and accessible to the general public. The transition timeline will be communicated clearly to subscribers, ensuring they have ample opportunity to upgrade their SIM cards and handsets.
By gradually retiring these older technologies, MTN aims to future-proof Ghana’s telecommunications landscape while maintaining its commitment to inclusive digital growth.