The Ghanaian telecommunications regulator, the National Communication Authority has confirmed awarding Nigeria's second biggest mobile operator, Globacom, has a licence to operate a 3G mobile network in the country. Glo Mobile Ghana paid USD 50.1 million for the licence and becomes the sixth mobile network operator in Ghana. In awarding the licence, the NCA took into consideration that Globacom would be using 3G mobile technology. A NCA statement said in the award process, the authority reviewed 11 applicants. Globacom said in its application it intended to initially invest USD 200 million on the network. Ghana currently has five mobile operators but none operates on a 3G network. They use either 2G (GSM) or 2.5G (GPRS) technology. Globacom, which began operations in 2003 in Nigeria, last year, won a licence for a mobile network in neighboring Benin. Globacom plans to roll out its operation in the country after winning a 3G licence. Globacom's head of New Markets Yinka Olafimihan told journalists that Globacom will start its operations in the country within the next six to eight months and has planned to invest USD 2 billion in its roll-out program. Globacom is noted for its aggressive business operations having slashed call rates in Nigeria and provided efficient network services when it first entered the Nigerian market in 2003.
