Telecom Sector Loses US$17.4 Million Due To Fiber-Optic Cable Cuts
According to Ghana Chamber Telecommunication & Electronic Money Issuers, during the period between January and November 2024, 10,233 fiber-optic cable were cut across the country which has contributed to a significant lost to the industry.
From calculations, repairing a cable cost US$1,639 averaging a total cost to repair all cable summing US$17,415,886.
The Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Chamber Telecommunication, Dr. Kenneth Ashigbey says he warned about the high frequency cutting of the fiber-optic cables and expressed the serious risk it has on the stability of Ghana’s National Fiber Network.
The CEO Dr Kenneth Ashigbey stated that it a major setback funding the infrastructure expansion to repair efforts while speaking at the Inaugural Technology Industry Media Excellence Awards(TIMEA) and media house in Accra.
Dr. Ashigbey added that he and the GCT will continue to work closely with the stakeholders to protect the country’s infrastructure because the funds that was disbursed to expand and improve the telecommunication service must be use to repair the stolen fiber-optic cable now.
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Dr. Ashigbey of GCT list factor that are destroying the cable, list below;
1. Vandalism and theft cause 13.98% of cable issue.
2. Road construction contributing to 20.68% which is the largest cause.
3. Other factors such as railway and drain construction, mining, fire outbreaks, floods, farming and other infrastructure activities.
The GCT CEO made it known the need for the stakeholder to collaborate urgently in order to resolve this risk that negatively affect the cable. This destroy the fiber backbone that helps the transaction of critical data transfer and high bandwidth.
Suggested solution to resolve this issue is to establish a policy that will prevent contractor digging in some area where roads have already been dogged. This will enable them to lay cables without disruption.
With the theft and vandalism factor, GCT will establish a court that will prosecute people cutting the fiber-optic cables t disrupt the network.
The GCT and EMIs Of Ghana applaud excellent journalism in telecommunication and technology at the TIMEA.
The best reporter in Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs)(Online and paper) category was Suleiman Mustapha of graphic Communication Group Limited.
Best reporter in EMIs Broadcast (TV and Radio) was Rosemond Akuorkor Adjetey of EIB Network.
Broadcast Sub under EMIs (TV and Radio) was Ivan Heathcote-Fumador of EIB Network.
TIMEA award goal is to appreciate journalist promoting excellence in telecommunication and technology and also reporting legit issues that enhance the public awareness to understand the telecommunication and technology industry in Ghana.
