Information and communication technologies (ICTs) and ... - ITU

For example, in the case of the UK it has been recognised by the Ofcom that a single infrastructure provider
can be used for fixed access networks provided that the services are made available to TSPs on the basis of
‘equivalence’ down to the level of the individual subscriber. Following public consultation 145 , the fixed
access network of BT was split into a separate operating and accounting division ‘Openreach’. Sharing
includes copper lines and equipment space in the telephone exchanges.
In Ghana, sharing of infrastructure facilities is beneficial where there is a natural monopoly such as in the
area surrounding a mobile phone base station. This can save both cost and energy. Provision is made for this
in the ‘Guidelines for the deployment of communication towers’ as discussed in Section 4.3.
Tight regulation on prices is recommended so that the local monopoly provider does not exceed costs by
more than an agreed margin. It is important that incentives are given to invest in new infrastructure.
The deployment of a fibre access network can be staged so that key buildings such as libraries and schools
are connected first to make information available to communities. Access can be made cost and energy
efficient using WiFi at the terminal stations. Micro-payments for the service provider can be made using
systems such as Skype or FON WiFi.
4.7.1 Example of a base station run solely on renewable energy
In the future it is anticipated that circuit-switched voice calls over the fixed access network will become
obsolete. Mobile networks and voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) services are replacing the need for
traditional voice communications using a dedicated energy-intensive public switched telecommunications
network (PSTN).
Developed countries are keeping their copper lines and circuit switched legacy network because they were
expensive to install, have a long service and life, and allow emergency calls with power provided over the
line from the telephone exchange. Although there are areas in Ghana without mobile coverage, as
described in Section 1.2., there is up to 77 per cent mobile penetration by subscription which is expected to
rise to 95 per cent by 2015 146 . Due to the inherent increase in locational flexibility of mobile devices it could
be argued that they are generally better suited as an emergency communication device when compared to
fixed line services. Users are already aware of the need to keep phones charged up and have access to
small-scale off-grid supplies, such as solar panels, that can be used when needed. The case for expanding
copper-based wireline communications in Ghana is weak.
4.7.2 Backhaul networks
The GSMA reports the importance of local authorities in providing backhaul networks for both fixed and
mobile network broadband upgrade 147 :
“Local authorities play a key role at sector level in the development and usage of new services,
broadband coverage and bandwidth expansion. Local communities are in the best position to
aggregate public services (e-education, e-health, etc) and ensure their availability to citizens
through the internet. Local authorities also have a direct interest in broadband coverage to
attract enterprises and particularly small manufacturing enterprises. Existence of public
initiative networks enables local operators to offer business services and challenge national
operators. Fibre-based backhaul networks are crucial to enable such offers. Fibre-based
backhaul networks also play an important role in achieving broadband coverage and prepare
the migration from high to very-high speed fixed and mobile services – fibre-based backhaul
networks are necessarily independent of access technology. Local authorities can also lower
market entry barriers for the roll out of next generation access networks by adopting master
plans (e.g. duct installation in waiting mode, dark fibre roll-out) and mapping available
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