Ghana's telecoms industry regulator, the National Communications Authority (NCA), has instructed mobile network operators (MNOs) to improve Quality of Service (QoS)

Speaking at a meeting with technical executives from MTN, Tigo, Vodafone, Airtel, Glo and Expresso, held at the NCA Tower, Joe Anokye, NCA's Acting Director-General said the Authority's attention has been drawn to QoS challenges including dropped calls, poor quality of voice and slow internet services, among others.

Anokye told the MNOs that their first line of action would be to resolve these issues within the Accra-Tema Metropolitan area.

MNOs were given a month to provide the regulator with a strategy as to how they intended to address these issues within this area.

"Both the NCA and the MNOs have a shared responsibility to address these issues and ensure that consumers are satisfied with the level of service they receive from their respective providers," said Anokye.

Technical execs have cited site acquisition, especially in the high-end residential areas, as one of their main challenges to QoS delivery.

The purchase or rental of facilities to host telecoms cell sites continues to be an issue for operators, specifically because these areas are often densely populated and there is little available space. Those areas that are available are often rented out at very high rates.

Anokye urged the operators to engage with the regulator to find solutions and reiterated the importance of consumer satisfaction.

"The MNOs were also encouraged to seek the Authority's support in resolving peculiar challenge when necessary by engendering teamwork with the NCA. Representatives of the MNOs expressed their appreciation for the meeting, the NCA's candid opinion and pledged to do their best to ensure consumer satisfaction," the NCA stated.