Flight '026' Takes Off

PREPARATIONS ARE far advanced for Zain Ghana to operationalise its network in the next couple of weeks after so much media hype.

In order for Ghanaians to enjoy a smooth take-off of this new network, the company yesterday launched its nationwide pre-registration exercise in Accra to allow people in all parts of the country to register with the company and select telephone numbers of their choice.

In an interview with CITY & BUSINESS GUIDE , Ransford Nyarko, Marketing Director of Zain Ghana, indicated that customers are to access the facility on the internet at ichoose.gh.zain.com without any need to even type 'http' or 'www'.

Customers can also call the Customer Care Team on 021 7000 111 or visit any of the Zain Gazebos at popular locations throughout Ghana.  Upon successful registration, the customer will receive confirmation details which include the reserved Zain number and a reservation code. And the marketing manager explains that it is important for customers to keep their reservation code since they will require it to redeem their numbers.

 “This can be your existing telephone number on other networks or a number that is special and significant to you - perhaps your birthday, wedding day or special days you want to remember forever,” he said, adding that customers can choose to keep an existing number and all they will have to do is to replace their existing prefix with 026.  

Mr Nyarko stressed that the experience on Zain will definitely be unique and exciting.  “Apart from the array of products and services that Zain will offer, our customers should expect excellent customer care whenever they come into contact with Zain.”

Phillip Sowah, Country Manager, Zain Ghana, said the company would be updating its services every month to ensure total satisfaction for consumers.

One of such benefits to customers, he mentioned, is the roaming service which could allow people who travel into countries within the sub-region and beyond.

Noting that Zain would be in all parts of Ghana soon, he stated that within the next 2 to 3 weeks, Zain in partnership with other industry players will commence a co-location plan that will ensure the networks signals are transmitted on a common mast.

He assured that Zain will not engage in any price war since call rates were already low in Ghana adding that the company will not oversubscribe its network.

Come August 1, 2009,  Zain will rebrand in Africa, he said.

Robert Ahomka-Lindsay, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investments Promotion Centre, who chaired the occasion, in an address appealed to telecommunications operators in Ghana to offer effective basis that will ensure successful calls even during peak periods.

He urged operators to work seriously towards providing video conferencing services, roaming and 3-G.

“As you build your network, we have a young generation that is technology-driven. Give opportunity to young graduates to work with you so you could be a trend setter and a leader in the sector.”

Zain, a major player on the African continent and a pioneer of mobile telecommunications in the Middle East provides a comprehensive range of mobile voice and data services to over 50 million customers; 33 million of which are in Africa.   

It began its operations in Ghana after acquiring a majority stake in Westel last year.  It is expected that its services nationwide would be launched by the end of this year.

By Samuel Boadi