Bolgatanga, Dec. 3 GNA- The Ghana Telecom (GT) is to expand its fixed-line telephone services in the Upper East Region from 4,084 to 15,000 by 2005. Telephone subscribers in the Region would also have access to GT's one-touch mobile phone service by May next year.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana Telecom, Mr. Oystein Bjorge announced this on Wednesday when he briefed newsmen at Bolgatanga as part of a familiarisation tour of GT facilities in the Region.

He said the Company is in the process of extending its GSM fixed line services to all district capitals, second cycle institutions and training colleges in the area.

Mr. Bjorge said a Chinese export guaranteed loan of 150,000 dollars has been secured for equipment, while a short-term loan of 60 million dollars raised from local commercial banks would be used to improve and expand GT's existing network throughout the Country.

" GT did not have enough finances before to improve its services but funds are now available", he said, acknowledging the need for the Company to restructure its financial plan to enable it to meet the long-term needs of customers.

The CEO expressed dissatisfaction about the attitude of local staff of the company towards work, and pointed out that promotions and other forms of remuneration would be based on output and commitment to duty.

The Upper East Regional Director of GT, Mr. Musah Awudu indicated that the Region has a good potential for both fixed line and mobile phone services because of its high population concentration and assured customers that very soon telephone services would be improved.

Mr Awudu indicated that poor television reception, which is always prevalent in the region during the harmatan season, would soon be a thing of the past, with the construction of more repeater stations to bridge the present wide gaps along the transmission line that causes the intermittent breaks.