MTN Ghana CEO: 5G not a priority now, focus remains on strengthening 4G
The CEO of MTN Ghana, Stephen Blewett, has revealed that while the telecom giant welcomes the prospect of a 5G network, it is not an immediate necessity.
Speaking at his inaugural media engagement event, “A Time with Stephen,” marking his first year as CEO, Blewett emphasised that the current business case for 5G remains weak due to limited customer readiness.
Out of MTN Ghana’s 28.5 million active devices, only one million are 5G-enabled, Blewett noted during the interview with Joy News’ Emefa Apawu. “Do we want 5G? Yes! Do we need it now? Not necessarily… Even if we get 5G today, only one million out of our 28.5 million customers will use it,” he said. He argued that a robust 4G network continues to give MTN a competitive edge, as the vast majority of its customers rely on 3G and 4G services.
Looking ahead, Blewett acknowledged that 5G could alleviate network pressure in the future and affirmed MTN’s willingness to adopt it based on government policy. This comes as Ghana’s previous administration granted Next Generation Infrastructure Company (NGIC) a licence to develop the country’s first open-access network for both 4G and 5G. The initiative aims to ensure nationwide coverage and affordability, with NGIC already completing its core networks and Network Operations Centre, both approved by the National Communications Authority (NCA).
While competitors Telecel Ghana and AT Ghana are engaging with NGIC to integrate into the shared 5G framework—potentially launching services by June—MTN has yet to make a firm commitment. “We’ve had engagements with NGIC, but from our perspective, however 5G plays out, MTN will participate in some way,” Blewett said, adding that the company awaits further direction from the Ministry of Communications.
In the meantime, MTN is focusing on enhancing its 4G network, which has faced congestion and quality-of-service issues. Blewett assured customers of noticeable improvements by year-end. Sources indicate that MTN is in talks with the government for additional spectrum to either bolster its 4G capacity or pursue a standalone 5G network. However, NGIC’s 10-year licence complicates alternative arrangements, as any deviation could strain public finances—a risk the current economy may not sustain.
Industry observers have urged MTN, the market leader, to embrace the NGIC partnership, highlighting its potential to boost 4G expansion and Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) without requiring direct spectrum negotiations. They argue that joining the open-access model aligns with MTN’s advocacy for a collaborative telecom ecosystem and could enhance its reputation while delivering immediate benefits to customers. For now, Blewett remains cautiously optimistic, balancing MTN’s long-term ambitions with practical realities.