Scancom Limited, operators of Spacefon mobile phone services, in collaboration with Dubai-based Thuraya Telecommunications Limited, will from July introduce satellite services into the Ghanaian mobile phone industry.

Mr. Fouad Chalabi, Commercial Manager of Spacefon, who announced this in an interview with the GNA, said the company would also introduce an e-mail notification service on its network this year.

This service, he said, would allow users of GSM handsets with Spacefon to receive notification of e-mails on their mobile phones.

He said the satellite service is currently under test in the country, adding that when it becomes fully operational in July, it would enable users of Spacefon to have a nation-wide and international reach.

"The service comes with special Thuraya-Spacefon handset which gives subscribers a double opportunity.

"Users can make calls within the Spacefon coverage area through the already existing network and can also switch to the satellite when they are outside Spacefon coverage area." Mr. Chalabi said Thuraya has operated satellite services for the past four years in Dubai and other countries, adding that Ghana is its first destination in Africa. Spacefon is the sole representative of Thuraya in Ghana.

He noted that the Thuraya handsets and services are targeted at the industrial and commercial sectors due to the relatively high cost involved in using it.

"In spite of the satellite services, Spacefon will continue with its expansion project to enable those who cannot afford the satellite service to stay on the regular network and still have a wide reach," he said.

Mr Chalabi said this year, the expansion project would involve improved capacity in the existing areas of operation such as Accra and an extension to other areas such as Aflao.

He said that, currently, the customer base of Spacefon is over 80,000, adding that the introduction of GSM services by Ghana Telecom has not affected it.

Mr Chalabi said initially some Spacefon customers switched to GT's One-touch services, but later returned to Spacefon due to technical problems they discovered.

"At least they understood that we were not to blame for the hitches," he said.

He urged the new government to study the problems facing telecommunications operators and introduce the needed policies and programmes to ensure fair competition and growth in the industry.