Towards Affordable Internet Access: A4AI Ghana Coalition’s Lobbying Interventions

A4AI Global Vision and Strategy Limitless availability and freedom of access to the Internet as a life-changing tool. Working towards attainment of the goal of entry-level broadband priced at less than 5% of monthly income set by the UN Broadband Commission. (Ghana projected at 7% of GNI) Targeted outcomes are to complement national efforts to facilitate and enable billions more people to come online.

A4AI Vision and Strategy Con’t The A4AI - Ghana Coalition- since its inauguration in March 2014 adopts multi-stakeholder consultation process to undertake Advocacy, Research and Knowledge-sharing seeking to tap innovative ideas to help improve upon Internet access. Makes recommendations towards policy and regulatory reforms with the view to unlocking technological advances and reduce the cost of Internet access and connection. The discussions are around four thematic areas namely; a) Infrastructure sharing and open access b) Research and Data collection c) Consumer awareness and pricing transparency d) Taxation Open consensus building from players from all sectors through quarterly face-to-face meetings and on-line collaboration.

Statistical Inference: Enhancing Growth through Inclusive Internet Usage World Economic Forum 2015 report focuses on creating new wave of economic growth with Inclusive Internet usage. Focus shared by A4AI. The Network Readiness Index (NRI) covering Ten Pillars of Indicators used to assess 143 economies throw challenges to many developing economies, Ghana inclusive. Four reference indicators impacting on the four thematic working areas of A4AI - Ghana Coalition- working groups are next shared and discussed.

Statistical Inference- WEF Global Information Technology NRI Report: 2015 CountryEnviron/ Regulati on Affordabil ity Gov’t Usage PvSector Usage Indiv Usage Economic Impact Ghana50/ Malaysia23/ Rwanda19/ (1 st Gov-s) Mali91/ Kenya66/

Infrastructure Sharing Working Group Output and Recommendations Working towards advocacy for policy and regulatory guidelines to enhance infrastructure open access and sharing model. Some Policy Recommendations: a) Promote co-deployment and sharing of telecom infrastructure and co-investment to reduce CAPEX of private sector players; b) Address obstacles such as constraints associated and hindering private sector access to right of way in infrastructure expansion. c) Foster the development of infrastructure sharing policy and regulations. e) Review Ghana’s Broadband Plan: Universalization of access through demand and supply initiatives in partnership with the private sector.

Additional Policies and Operational Suggestions Some Policy Inputs: o Revision of ICT policy to reflect infrastructure sharing i.e. (The case of Eastern Corridor Fibre). o To work towards fibre to the home policy to enhance fair competition and investment drive of ICT to the home. Incentivising the private sector will help the policy drive. o To work towards the development of relevant local content to spur up broadband internet demand and usage. o GIFEC to sustain the development of framework that increases access and affordability of valued added services to far flung areas and marginalized groups.

Research and Data Collection Group Working towards the production of data matrix that outlines data to be collected that will impact on evidence-based policy decision making on affordability of Internet access. Areas of research focus include: a) USF sustainability b) Policy gap analysis c) Implementation gap analysis Policy recommendation: Policy direction so data gathering agencies work together to know what data is to be collected, how it is defined and where currently held and how to be analysed.

Taxation Working Group Working towards measures for Government to consider reducing taxes to make broadband more affordable to all. Policy interventions/recommendations:- i) Due to low levels of purchasing power of citizenry government to reduce taxes on consumer electronic items. Ii) Pursuing the removal of the 20% import duty and VAT on mobile devices as affordable devises promote high usage of Internet. Introduction of ECOWAS 10% CST a challenge to policy discussion. Iii) Pursuing the introduction of rural unbanked to the banking platform through the enhancement of the mobile money industry. Complementary policy intervention through the removal of VAT on mobile money business will benefit the rural unbanked population to move to the banking platform.

Pricing Transparency and Consumer Advocacy Group Working towards advocacy in awareness creation on the need to promote broadband pricing transparency to enhance uptake of broadband and its development. Some suggested Policy/Operational Interventions: i) Need for standard definition of what units of data are, how they are consumed on the average. ii) Collaborate with the Regulator and service providers to ensure the publication of the definition of units of data, value for the mutual benefit of the larger consumer public and service providers.

Conclusion When it comes to Internet affordability A4AI has positioned itself as a world leader to champion that course collaboratively. The partnership entered into with Ghana offers Ghana a unique opportunity to network to take complementary advantage of A4AI expertise and international stakeholder backing. Thank You.