Next-Gen InfraCo (NGIC), a Ghana-based company, which has exclusive rights to offer 5G services in the country for a decade, is strengthening its network infrastructure solutions front, even as Indian businessman Mukesh Ambani enters Africa with a telecoms venture focussing on mobile broadband customers.

Radisys Corp, a unit of Ambani’s Reliance Industries Ltd., will provide applications, smartphones, and key network infrastructure for NGIC, which is likely to begin operations by yearend. Internet service providers and mobile operators in West Africa’s second most populous country will benefit from the 5G broadband services provided to them by NGIC, which is “based on a premise of building affordable digital services in emerging markets”, according to the executive director of NGIC, Harkirit Singh.

Ghana’s Minister for Communications and Digitalization Ursula Owusu-Ekuful confirmed this in a statement: “NGIC will provide affordable mobile broadband services and devices to the people of Ghana, replicating the success of India’s low-cost mobile data revolution.”

The Ghana government owns just under 10% of NGIC, while two African telecoms firms hold a combined stake of 55% in the new company. No other strategic partner, including Reliance, owns any equity in NGIC.

Harkirit Singh said, “First we have to be successful to show the value that we create before they come in. That’s the discussion we’re having with them.”

Currently, Ghana has three main operators: MTN Ghana, Vodafone Ghana and the state-run, AirtelTigo.

NGIC’s possession of Ghana’s only 5G license is expected to build broadband services at a scale that would be a huge cost for individual mobile carriers. – editor@nrifocus.com