No Telecom Tariff Increase In 2015 ...Assures NCA

Credible information filtering in from the National Communications Authority (NCA) indicates that contrary to some media publications that the Authority would next year review upwards Wholesale Interconnection Rates for the mobile network operators. � We are surprised at the source of this information because we have in principle agreed with the operators that due to the industry dynamics, we would maintain the rate at Gh0.40p (forty pesewas)�, a source at the NCA told The New Crusading GUIDE yesterday. The source further revealed that, contrary to market principles, when the NCA reduced the Interconnection Rates by 20% from 2012-2014, the telecom operators rather increased their charges within the same period by over 24%. It is the decision of the NCA, according to the source, to increase the charges to Gh0.50p in 2016 and Gh0.60p in 2017 which the operators have all agreed. The Interconnection Rate is the charge which one telecommunications operator charges the other for terminating calls on its network. It would be recalled that at a public forum on the Clearing House Licence held last month, the NCA shed light on the impact that the Interconnect Clearing House to be introduced in May, 2015 would have on the Wholesale Interconnection Rates. The Authority also explained how the operations of the Clearing House will mitigate the rising trends of the Wholesale Interconnection Rates going forward. Telecom operators who spoke to this paper in reaction to the assurance by the NCA said it was welcome news.