Glo Hits Road

Ambassador Amihere (middle), interacting with Mr Shangowaawa on Glo's mobile network.

THOUGH SYMPATHISERS of Glo Ghana will want to describe the National Communications Authority's recent fine of $200,000 on the newest telecommunications operator as a bit unfriendly, it appears it has succeeded in forcing the tortoise out of its shell eventually.

Glo Ghana yesterday launched its state-of-the-art network to the media at a plush ceremony in Accra.

The network, which currently has 1.5 million reserved numbers to be redeemed by customers, starting today, has 10 million mobile users as its initial target.

George Andah, Chief Operating Officer of Glo Ghana, who explained the company's long wait prior to its launch, said the delay was deliberate.

After taking the media and invited guests through video clips of massive underground work that had been carried out during the long wait, all to satisfy customers, Mr. Andah stated, 'For all the time we wasted, we added great ingredients everyday to the quality of the network.'

'From today, Ghanaians who have been anxious to send and receive calls on Glo Ghana's network can walk into any Glo office in any part of the country and activate their lines.'

Kabral Blay Amihere, chairman of the National Media Commission, who officially launched the network, in a remark later testified of the clarity and quality of a call on the network. Immediately after he launched the network, a call was made to his mobile handset by Adewale Shangowaawa, Executive Director of the company.

Ambassador Amihere commented, 'It's been a long wait and finally Glo is here. It's our belief that your arrival will add value to the telecoms landscape. Ghana is at a stage of its development where if anybody wants to use the internet, it becomes 'wahala'.

'We want a reliable service so if you can assure us of that, then the 1.5 million customers you already have will multiply in no time.'

Ashitosh Tiwari, Marketing Manager of Glo Ghana, in a presentation, said with 1,400 bts, Glo becomes the second largest network on the first day of its operations.

He said the company had targeted reaching 2,300 bts by the end of this year.

Currently, Glo Ghana's presence is felt in 1,000 cities and towns; more than 10,000 villages and covers more than 85 percent of Ghana's land mass.

Eighty percent of the network provides 3G coverage of Ghana, which makes it the widest data network with varied products and 100 percent bonus on all credit bought for the first 100 days.

By Samuel Boadi