MTN Ghana launches Internet Festival

MTN Ghana, one of the country’s telecommunication operators, on Thursday launched a month-long campaign dubbed ‘I-Fest’ (Internet Festival) to create public awareness on the multiple uses of MTN data services in Accra.

I-Fest which commenced in September is aimed at boosting data services and internet usage as well as projecting Ghana and Africa in the digital age.

Mr Michael Ikpoki, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, said it was committed to offering a robust, simple and customer friendly data services to drive data penetration in Ghana and champion initiatives.

“This, I believe will bring about the much needed revolution in internet connectivity in the country,” he added.

Mr Ikpoki noted that for MTN to actualise its determination to bring about a data based technological revolution in Ghana, it had established MTN switch and data centres in Accra and Kumasi adding, it had launched two massive investments aimed at improving the data services to its subscribers.

He announced that MTN’s $90 million investment in the 14,000 kilometre submarine cable, which had arrived, was expected to be operational in the first quarter of 2012.

The submarine cable, he said, would offer subscribers in Ghana and across Africa, the much needed bandwidth expected to connect the Western and Southern parts of Africa to the rest of Europe and America.

Mr William Tsevi, Director General of National Information Technology Agency (NITA) lauded the MTN efforts at propelling the use of the internet and data access to the public.

Mr Ranford Tetteh, President of Ghana Journalists Association, noted that the I-Fest was an exciting moment for people especially journalists.

In a presentation, Nana Osei Afrifa, Innovation Manager, MTN Ghana, noted that data raked in 40 per cent of revenue in China, Russia, India and United States but African countries do not make that much.

He said I-Fest apart from providing excitement to subscribers, would build knowledge through quizzes with business community, students and other professionals.

Nana Afrifa said to enjoy I-Fest services, one only needed to choose MTN’s Internet bundle.

Source: GNA