Accra, JAN. 11, GNA - Spacefon, operators of GSM mobile phone under Scancom Limited, on Tuesday launched a new slogan and a logo to reflect their new face and commitment to the local subscriber and economy.

The slogan of the company, which used to be "Ghana most advanced mobile phone network", is now "Communication for the Nation." Mr Ahmed Faroukh, Managing Director of Spacefon, who announced this at a press launch in Accra, said in line with their new slogan, Spacefon hoped to expand their coverage area to include Akosombo, Ho, Koforidua, Nsawam, Sunyani and Aburi by March. Already, the company covers Accra, Tema, Bibiani, Cape Coast, Tarkwa, Kumasi, Sekondi-Takoradi and Obuasi.

Mr Faroukh said Spacefon is also adding 11 new sites to its current sites in the Accra Metropolis to accommodate more residents on its network at competitive cost. "Our new look also mirrors our rededication to our responsibilities in order to help the government to achieve its lofty telecommunication goals in the Vision 2020 document." He said the new logo "reflects our intention to have a more intimate relationship with our customers with the view to addressing their needs speedily in this millennium."

Mr Faroukh deplored "unfairness" in the local telecommunication industry, saying "out of 12 (E1) links we requested for from Ghana Telecom (GT) to ensure quality service and easy channelling of calls on our network, we have received only four." He said there has not been any justifiable reason for GT's refusal to give them the remaining eight, adding that their customers are getting frustrated and "our patience is running out."

Mr Faroukh called for co-operation in the industry, saying that non-cooperation is not only frustrating and unethical, but is also damaging to the economy, the trade liberalisation drive and the image of Ghana before the international community. He said currently Spacefon is being asked to forgo five of its 10 frequencies to enable a new mobile phone operator to come into the local market.

Mr Faroukh said Spacefon bought the frequencies for half a million dollars in 1994 and cannot just forgo five of them for nothing. He therefore cautioned the authorities "to consider the economic implications of the demand and be ready to compensate Spacefon adequately if they must". GNA