Value Added Services (VAS)

Value Added Services (VAS) are an important component of Ghana’s digital communications ecosystem. They enable innovative services that enhance the use of electronic communications networks by providing content, applications, digital platforms and machine-based services to consumers, businesses and public institutions.

The National Communications Authority (NCA) authorises the provision of Value Added Services in accordance with the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775), the Electronic Communications Regulations, 2011 (L.I. 1991), and other applicable laws, directives, guidelines and licence conditions issued by the Authority.

For the purposes of the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775), a Value Added Service (VAS) is a service that combines applications provided to users with telecommunications but does not include a public electronic communications service.

Value Added Services generally utilise licensed electronic communications networks to provide enhanced functionality, digital content, applications or communications capabilities beyond the underlying network connectivity. This document provides general guidance on the Value Added Service licensing framework and the application requirements. For regulatory and administrative purposes, the Authority currently classifies Value Added Services into the following categories:

• Content and Application Service
• Platform and Machine-to-Anything Services
• Aggregator, Gateway and Transactional Enablement Services


• Content and Application Services ( CLASS A)
This refers to application-layer services that utilise electronic communications networks to deliver, process, manage, or enhance digital content, information, or interactive services to end users, without undertaking the conveyance, routing, or switching of communications as a principal service. Such services may include, without limitation:
1. messaging-based services delivered through SMS, USSD, MMS, IVR, or other messaging platforms;
2. multimedia, digital content, and information services;
3. subscription-based information, entertainment, educational, or notification services;
4. application-based services delivered through mobile applications, Unstructured Supplementary Services Data (USSD), Short Messaging Services, Multimedia Messaging Services, IVR, web platforms, or other digital interfaces;
5. interactive information services, polling, surveys, and digital engagement services; and
6. other application-layer services that enhance or utilise electronic communications networks for the delivery of content, information, or digital functionality.
7. transaction-enabling communication and application services that provide the user-facing channel or interface through which a person initiates, authorises, confirms, or receives notification of an electronic transaction, including services delivered through messaging platforms, USSD, interactive applications, or other consumer-facing digital interfaces, where the role of the Licensee is limited to the provision of the communication or application layer.


• Platform and Machine-to-Anything (M2X) Services (CLASS B)
This refers to Value Added Services that enable automated or semi-automated communication between machines, devices, application platforms, systems, or end users over licensed electronic communications networks. Such services derive their principal value from the processing, monitoring, control, management, or analysis of machine-generated data, rather than from the conveyance of communications signals. Such services may include, without limitation:
1. Internet of Things (IoT) applications and device connectivity platforms;
2. telemetry, remote monitoring, and control systems;
3. machine-generated messaging and automated alerts;
4. smart infrastructure, industrial automation, and smart city applications;
5. device management platforms and machine communication gateways; and
6. other services enabling automated interaction between machines, systems, or digital platforms through electronic communications networks


• Aggregator, Gateway and Transactional Enablement Services (CLASS C)
This refers to Value Added Services provided by intermediaries, platform operators, and technical enablement providers that sit between licensed electronic communications networks and the end-user or application layer, facilitating the integration, routing, authentication, notification, orchestration, or management of Value Added Services across those networks.

The defining characteristic of services under this Class is that the Licensee functions as an infrastructure or enablement intermediary providing the technical layer through which third-party providers, enterprises, institutions, merchants, developers, or other platforms access telecommunications capabilities rather than presenting a service directly to an end user as its principal activity.

Such services may include, without limitation:
1. messaging gateways, application programming interface platforms, and communications-platform-as-a-service offerings;
2. service aggregation and routing platforms connecting multiple providers, enterprises, merchants, or institutions to licensed electronic communications networks;
3. authentication, verification, and one-time-password delivery platforms;
4. transaction notification, confirmation, and customer instruction platforms, including the network-side infrastructure through which transaction-related messages are routed, processed, or delivered between institutions, systems, or networks; and
5. other technical intermediary or platform-enabled services whose principal function is to facilitate the delivery or integration of Value Added Services over licensed electronic communications networks.


Please note that the above list is not exhaustive because of continuous innovation, and the Authority shall continue to review the definition of Value Added Services with the evolution of technology.

Traditionally, Value Added Services (VAS) have been defined as enhanced services, which add value to the standard or core teleservices offerings like voice calls and fax transmission. Typical examples of value-added services include call-related services such as call waiting, call forwarding, multiparty conferencing, voice mail, other services like email, Short Messaging Services (SMS), Multimedia Messaging Services (MMS), etc.

Currently, various Application Services (AS) are also being provided through the electronic communications network. While services like SMS, MMS on mobile phones, and data access and call-related services both on wireline and wireless were usually considered supplementary services, in recent years SMS, MMS, call-related services and data access have become standard services. Many more applications and services are being offered on the telephone and these services continue to evolve with changing technologies.

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Application for Value Added Service Authorisation

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VAS Registration Requirements

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Application for Renewal of Value Added Service Authorisation

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Fees for Value Added Services