Ghanaians to pay more for telecom services

Some telecommunication companies in the country have increased the rates for both voice and data services due to the increment in taxes by the government.

The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications indicated that the mere public announcement by the network operators is a confirmation of the authenticity of the increment.

In an interview on Citi FM on Thursday, the Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber, Kwaku Sakyi Addo explained that tariffs in the industry are determined independently but it depends on how each network operator reads the market.

He noted that the increased rates are justified due to the increment in taxes, tariffs and petroleum products.

“The masts, the base stations are run on electricity, our infrastructure, our offices, warehouses, retail outlets; all use electricity. In fact energy cost constitutes more that 30% of the operational expenditure of mobile phone companies,” he said.

Mr. Sakyi Addo revealed that previously, telecommunication companies were absorbing all taxes payable by consumers but with the recent increases, “they have indicated they will no more be able to absorb worth what they were previously absorbing and so they have to pass them on to the customer.”