Accra, July 4, GNA - Ghana Telecom on Friday signed a 150 million-dollar contract with Alcatel Shanghai Bell for the extension and upgrading of its fixed and mobile networks over the next three years. Other components of the agreement included the provision of Advanced Intelligent Network (IN) Platform to enhance the services of the networks and a fibre optic transmission network for Greater Accra. The Chief Executive of GT, Mr Oystein Bjorge and the Chairman of Alcatel, Mr Yuan Xin signed the contract while the Minister of Communications and Technology, Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah and the Chinese Ambassador, Mr Lu Yonjshou witnessed it.

Mr Kan-Dapaah said Ghana's telecom infrastructure was woefully inadequate and was the desire of government to transform the nation into an information-rich, knowledge-based society through the development, deployment and exploitation of Information and Communication Technology. He noted that the realisation of the vision of the government depended largely on the availability of good telecom infrastructure and services as well as an effective regulatory body to ensure that telecom industries operated within the ambit of the law. He urged GT to view the liberalization of the industry as a positive challenge for improved services.

Mr Bjorge said GT and Alcatel had a common goal to build and operate networks with sufficient capacity for excellent service. He said the introduction of broadband services would facilitate GT's billing system and improve general services to customers. Mr Bjorge said the signing process was the first step towards the realization of an effective and efficient telecom industry. He said the contract was a major procurement exercise to provide a minimum of 650,000 telephone lines to GT customers. Mr Lu reaffirmed his government's determination to strengthen the relationship between the two countries. He urged the two companies to work out the details of the agreement, which included the shipment of the equipment and system, site preparation, installation, testing and commissioning as well as training of GT staff to maintain and operate the system.