Cover all towns in every MMDA – NCA orders telcos

All mobile network operators in Ghana are now mandatorily required to extend network coverage to every constituent town within each Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assembly (MMDA), following sweeping new directives issued by the National Communications Authority (NCA).

The expanded coverage obligation forms part of a broader overhaul of Quality of Service (QoS) standards announced on February 15, 2026, which takes immediate effect.

The new framework significantly tightens Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for telecom operators, replacing standards that have been in place since 2004.

Previously, operators were encouraged—but not compelled—to expand services beyond district capitals. Under the revised rules, however, coverage extension to all towns within every MMDA is now enforceable under licence conditions.

Beyond expanding coverage, operators must also meet stricter performance benchmarks. The maximum allowable Call Drop Rate (CDR) has been reduced from 3% to below 1%, while telcos are required to achieve a Call Connection Success Rate (CCSR) of more than 95%.

Successful connections must be recorded in over 90% of operational cells within each MMDA.

Voice quality standards have also been strengthened, with a minimum average Mean Opinion Score (MOS) of above 3.0 set for 2G services to ensure clearer calls.

On data services, the NCA has raised expectations substantially. Operators must now deliver average 3G download speeds exceeding 1 megabit per second (Mbps), replacing the previous 256 kilobits per second threshold, effectively quadrupling the minimum requirement.

Messaging services are equally affected. Telecom providers must guarantee at least a 98% SMS/MMS delivery success rate, with delivery times not exceeding five seconds.

The regulator says it will intensify compliance monitoring through field measurements and performance assessments. Operators that fail to meet the new standards risk sanctions in line with their licence conditions and applicable laws.

The NCA also urged consumers who are facing ongoing poor service to officially submit complaints, stressing that the reforms are a response to advancing technology, shifting usage trends, and national policy goals designed to enhance service delivery throughout Ghana’s telecommunications industry.

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