NCA Warns Telecom Operators

The Acting Director-General of the National Communication Authority (NCA), Major (rtd) J.R.K. Tandoh has warned that his outfit would deal ruthlessly with any telecom operator that infringes the rules and regulations of the commission.

In an interview with City and Business Guide during a media breakfast meeting organised by NCA in Accra yesterday, Major Tandoh said: “We have set out parameters for the operators and we expect them to adhere to and follow accordingly.”

The NCA boss said currently, the technical staff of the commission were monitoring the network management systems of the operators to ensure they met the standards set out by the commission.

He revealed that starting next month, his outfit would be publishing in the newspapers the performance of the various telecommunication operators in the country.

He added that all the television stations in the country would soon be asked to vacate their current frequency bands.

“They will all migrate from VHF to UHF band. Radio stations operating 87.5 megahertz to 108 megahertz would also be asked to use the VHF band.” he stated.

Major Tandoh noted that there would be a transitional period, during which the commission would allow analog and digital to operate side by side, adding that during this period, the number of radio and television stations would increase.

He said by 2015, the country would operate digital.
“When we go digital, the prices of radio receivers would be reduced.

We will have good signs and pictures, quality voice and we can transmit on four different channels, and also establish more TV stations,” he explained.

Meanwhile, NCA will celebrate its 10th anniversary from Tuesday, February 20, 2007 to Sunday, February 25, 2007, under the theme: “10 Years of Service, Challenges and Future Prospects.”

According to Major Tandoh, the objective of the celebration was to highlight the role of various stakeholders in the industry over the past decade.

As part of the 10th anniversary celebrations, the NCA boss said a Consumer Assembly would be held at the Accra International Conference Centre on Tuesday, February 20, 2007.

The event would serve as an open forum for the general public, NCA, Telecom operators and all stakeholders to share ideas on the way forward for Ghana's communication sector, he added.

In addition, there would also be a cocktail for operators and selected media personnel at the Golden Tulip Hotel on Tuesday evening.

The celebrations would end with a thanksgiving service at the Christ the King Church on Sunday, February 25, 2007.

NCA was established by an Act of Parliament- Act 524 of 1996- as a convergent body to regulate the telecommunications, broadcasting and Information and Communication Technology sectors and to promote a stable operating environment for all participants, while also promoting fair competition and efficiency.