Infrastructure Licence (Mast and Towers)
Overview
The NCA grants Communication Infrastructure License to establish and maintain the under-listed Communications Infrastructure facilities for lease, rental, or sale to Communication Service Operators Licensed/registered/authorized by the Authority in strict compliance with the terms of their License. Below are examples of infrastructure:
- Passive Infrastructure; this is referring to sharing of physical sites, buildings, shelters, towers, power supply, and battery backup
- Such other Communications Infrastructure services as the Authority may authorize from time to time
Technical Information
The NCA issues a Tower Infrastructure Licence to enable entities to build and maintain passive communications infrastructure facilities for lease, rental, or sale to Communications Services Operators or Providers licensed/registered /authorized by the NCA.
The use of Towers for communications services has been in existence since the early years of radio and television broadcasting. The onset of mobile telephony service brought about the proliferation of communications towers/masts in the country. The demand for mobile services and guaranteed minimum Quality of Service (QoS) required the increase in communications infrastructure to ensure that there are adequate network coverage and access to service.
Due to the challenges associated with siting of communications towers and public concerns; specifically, issues related to health, aesthetics, and safety, the NCA implemented some reforms in the tower infrastructure space. These include the development of new guidelines for the deployment of Communications Towers, and licensing new companies besides the existing MNOs to provide passive telecommunications tower services.
Mandate
Section 81 (1,2,3) of the Electronic Communication Act, 2008, Act 775
(1) A person who intends to construct an aerial mast or tower of more than forty-six metres in height from ground level shall obtain a statement from the Director-General of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority certifying that the proposed construction does not constitute a hazard to air navigation.
(2) A person shall in accordance with sub-regulation (1), obtain all other necessary permits and certificates from the appropriate authorities in the country.
(3)A person who constructs an aerial mast or tower in accordance with sub-regulations (1) and (2) shall allow other operators to co-locate on mutually agreeable commercial terms where technically feasible and possible. Coverage
There are over 6,500 Tower sites in Ghana. The towers are made up of Monopole Towers or Post Masts, Guyed Towers, Self-Supporting Towers, and Roof Mounts. Benefits of service to public /consumers.
More towers enhance the quality of service and increase access to bandwidth.
The use of Towers for communications services has been in existence since the early years of radio and television broadcasting. The onset of mobile telephony service brought about the proliferation of communications towers/masts in the country. The demand for mobile services and guaranteed minimum Quality of Service (QoS) required the increase in communications infrastructure to ensure that there are adequate network coverage and access to service.
Due to the challenges associated with siting of communications towers and public concerns; specifically, issues related to health, aesthetics, and safety, the NCA implemented some reforms in the tower infrastructure space. These include the development of new guidelines for the deployment of Communications Towers, and licensing new companies besides the existing MNOs to provide passive telecommunications tower services.
Mandate
Section 81 (1,2,3) of the Electronic Communication Act, 2008, Act 775
(1) A person who intends to construct an aerial mast or tower of more than forty-six metres in height from ground level shall obtain a statement from the Director-General of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority certifying that the proposed construction does not constitute a hazard to air navigation.
(2) A person shall in accordance with sub-regulation (1), obtain all other necessary permits and certificates from the appropriate authorities in the country.
(3)A person who constructs an aerial mast or tower in accordance with sub-regulations (1) and (2) shall allow other operators to co-locate on mutually agreeable commercial terms where technically feasible and possible. Coverage
There are over 6,500 Tower sites in Ghana. The towers are made up of Monopole Towers or Post Masts, Guyed Towers, Self-Supporting Towers, and Roof Mounts. Benefits of service to public /consumers.
More towers enhance the quality of service and increase access to bandwidth.
