The Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG) feels much vindicated for supporting the introduction of Interconnect Clearing House (ICH) into Ghana's telecommunication sector.
This is especially so, after the National Communication Authority's (NCA) press conference of last week. Indeed, whether Subah or GVG, AFAG is happy these competitors expressed equal interest in the concept of ICH. This notwithstanding, the NCA should endeavor to protect existing active players in the industry.
Over the past 7 years, AFAG has been very concerned, and consistent in our quest to see the Telcos show an appreciable level of transparency, accountability and a commitment to effective service provision.
AFAG's support for the ICH is in line with the global trend, where in Europe, the U.S and elsewhere, tele-houses play same function as the ICH. It is AFAG's believe that, a competitive telecommunication sector can bring about various attractive marketing offers to consumers, and above all, the lowering of pricing of telecom services.
The ability for the ICH to devolve some powers from the Telcos especially with regards to interconnectivity pricing, full disclosure of call volumes by the Telcos(i.e. avoid tax evasion), eliminate SIM Box fraud, and in the long term increase the number of Telcos in the industry.
These are AFAG's reasons for supporting the introduction of ICH by the NCA since the conception of the policy.
We are worried that, the liberty of telecommunication companies to charge their own interconnect fees is alienating those with smaller market shares and this occurrence is a probable barrier to expansion and greater participation in the industry.
It is clear that interconnect clearing house, when established, would create fixed interconnect charges for the industry and that could increase competition and a reduction of call charges as has happened in Nigeria.
AFAG considers the ICH policy as revolutionary. We entreat all Ghanaians to accept the operationalization of ICH in the country. We urge all stakeholders to eschew trivialities, the personalization and politicization of such a policy we consider very wholesome for public consumption.
This notwithstanding, the NCA must show transparency, and fairness to stakeholders in order to ensure policy acceptability, and the smooth implementation of the Interconnect Clearing House (ICH) policy.
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