MTN Ghana sets out phased plan to retire 2G and 3G networks

MTN Ghana has announced its intention to discontinue its 2G and 3G networks gradually, allowing customers sufficient time to transition to modern technology.

At the Digital Africa Summit in Accra, Chief Executive Officer Stephen Blewett admitted that a substantial number of subscribers continue to rely on the older networks.

He noted that while some customers deliberately remain on 2G or 3G to manage their data usage more effectively, many others are restricted by devices incompatible with 4G. “Despite the widespread availability of 4G, many of our customers remain on 3G. For some, it is about managing their data consumption, while others are constrained by devices that cannot support 4G,” Mr. Blewett stated.

He explained that the company’s long-term strategy involves enhancing spectrum efficiency by eventually discontinuing outdated networks, but the process will be handled with caution.

“We cannot simply switch off 2G and 3G without ensuring that affordable 4G devices are accessible. Doing so would risk excluding a large number of Ghanaians,” he warned.