Ghana has become the latest country in Africa after Nigeria to impose fines on its telcos for failing to meet quality of service (QoS) requirements.

Congested networks and call setup delays are among reasons that Ghana’s National Communications Authority has decided to fine MTN, Vodafone and Tigo; following QoS tests conducted in March this year.

But compared to the $7.4 million in fines dished out to operators in Nigeria for poor QoS, Ghanaian operators are facing much tamer penalties.

According to Cellular News, MTN has to pay a fine of $26000 for call setup delays in the central region of the country, and a further $52000 for call congestion in the Brong Ahafo and central regions.

Vodafone has been fined $26000 for call setup delays in the Western region, while Tigo received a $26000 fine for signaling congestion in the Brong-Ahafo region.

Danson Njue, an analyst for Informa Telecoms & Media, says the practice among regulators on the continent fining telcos for poor QoS is becoming a “trend”, as nations such as Uganda, Kenya and Nigeria look bring their telcos in line.

“It’s a fact that quality of service is an issue,” said Njue.

“[For] a customer, it’s very annoying if you paid for something and you cannot enjoy the service.”

Njue goes on to says that QoS is also an aspect that operators’ need to consider as part of their strategy of growing their business in Africa.

“Inasmuch as they are trying to deploy new networks, to look for ways to increase their revenues; I think quality of service needs to be part of their strategy, because it counts”

“It is important,” he said.