MTN 4G LTE service goes live nationwide
MTN Ghana, a telecommunications company, on Tuesday launched a fourth generation long-term evolution (4G LTE) service to give mobile phone and Internet users nationwide a new experience.
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The launch of the service, which will enable users to download videos and pictures and browse the Internet at speeds 10 times more than the present level, makes MTN the first among the telcos to deploy the 4G LTE service nationwide.
At a ceremony to launch the service in Accra, the company also created the platform for members of the public to experience the service with devices that were 4G compatible.
Patrons could also change their SIM cards into 4G compatible ones for free at the event.
Soon after the launch of the service, a branded military helicopter flew in the skies, while a fleet of vans branded MTN 4G LTE and carrying ladies was also deployed to parts of the capital city to get members of the public to experience the service.
The commercial launch of the service will heighten competition in the new technology space, a phenomenon which is likely to impact the cost of data for Internet browsing or voice calls.
Presently, companies providing the service include Surfline, Busy and Blu.
Impact on business
In an interview with the Daily Graphic, the Chief Executive Officer of MTN, Mr Ebenezer Asante, said “the launch of this new service will position us for the future because the future is about data, digital and our ability to lead in a manner that will ensure that our customers are not only using the current technology but also getting prepared for the future technology experience — 4G and 5G.
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“As we all know, the technology space is such that almost all the things we do manually today will eventually be played at the digital level and that is why almost every industry is coming together to converge around Information and Communications Technology (ICT),” he said.
Mr Asante said businesses that relied on high speed Internet to provide services would be able to discharge that obligation 10 times faster than they did in the past to enhance their efficiency level.
Customer experience
Some of the patrons at the launch described the service as impressive and fast beyond their imagination.
A banker, Ms Linda Prempeh, told the Daily Graphic that “this 4G is simply fantastic”, adding: “I have used others but this is really fast and cost effective because downloads are done with speed.”
A freelance journalist, Mr Maxwell Korbilla, also described the service as unique and commended the management of the company for its courage in acquiring the license to deliver such service.