TECHNOLOGY TRANSFORMATION SEMINAR ‘ ACCESS1513 PREPAID INTERNET CARD- IT’S IMPACT ON ICT DEVELOPMENT’ Resource Person : Chris Quartey 23 RD MARCH, 2006 Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT

AGENDA BACKGROUND ICT FOR DEVELOPMENT ACCESS TO INTERNET BARRIERS SOLUTION SUCCESS STORY Q & A

BACKGROUND GOVERNMENT ICT POLICY -ICT can be used as the engine for accelerated growth & development in both urban and rural areas, (as in some developed and developing economies) -this is possible in Ghana if ICT is fully utilized.

ICT FOR DEVELOPMENT Bridging the gap between rural and urban areas, Enhancement of national integration, Dissemination of development information particularly on health, agriculture, environment and local government to rural communities, supporting economic activities, education, Providing HIV/AIDS, bird flu etc public sensitization Information

ACCESS TO INTERNET DIAL UP INTERNET ACCESS- use of phone lines ADSL (broadband), simultaneous browsing & use of phone lines. Wireless broadband Gets more expensive as the bandwidth broadens

BARRIERS TO MASSES…… Cost of Bandwidth / equipment Payment of Monthly subscription (quoted in dollars), in most cases not affordable to many individuals Cost of PCs (all encouraged to invest in PCs just like any other asset we acquire) Supply and Availability of phone lines Cost of using telephone Payment of setup charges. How do we therefore make internet access easily available and affordable for the broad masses of our population?

SOLUTION PREPAID DIALUP INTERNET ACCESS CARDS Dial up is can be more affordable to most people. -GT Phone line network is country wide and still expanding. More people can have access to phone lines eventually. -GT Charges on phone for internet/data calls are only ¢75 per minute compared to voice calls ¢500 per minute -Prepaid Internet cards do not require the payment of monthly subscription fees to any ISP -You pay for what you use.

What is a Prepaid Dial up Internet access card? Card used to enable one access or browse the internet. No payment of monthly subscription fee, or installation charges to an ISP. What do you need to use the card? Pc or Laptop with modem Ghana Telecom phone line

PREPAID DIAL UP INTERNET CARDS ON THE MARKET - Access ¢50,000 for 10 hours -Click by NCS - ¢100,000 for 10 hours -Busy Internet - ¢120,000 for 10 hours -Web4africa - ¢85,000 for 10 hours

GLOBAL ACCESS & NETAFRIQUE ACCESS1513 PREPAID INTERNET CARD SUCCESS STORY

CARDS FEATURES Paper Laminated card Scratch username and Password. Digital Access Number Website to Check user account balance Customer service numbers Serial number Expiration date indicated Price and number of hours

QUALITY OF SERVICE A dedicated 24hour customer hotline Ghana Telecom DIGITAL number 1513 Convenience of purchase since the cards are available nationwide and 7 days a week at selected retail outlets Handbill with Internet Account set up instructions for each card purchased. Very easy to use The Customer can check his account balance and also see an activity log at a website.

BENEFITS No monthly subscription fee You pay only for what you use and make savings. You are able to budget for the month Control your expenses Price of Card is affordable. ¢50,000 for 10 hrs No expiry date. (other cards have expiry dates) No installation charges You can browse the Internet in the privacy of your home or office at your convenience. Usage of GT phone is Free from midnight to 6am

TARGET MARKET IN THE HOME OR OFFICE WORKERS YOUTH STUDENTS BUSINESS PEOPLE THE FAMILY TOURISTS ON SHORT STAY AS A GIFT ITEM EVERYONE- MASSES

THE MISSION TO MAKE INTERNET BROWSING AFFORDABLE AND EASILY AVAILABLE TO ALL WHO LIVE IN TOWNS OR COMMUNITIES WHERE RADIO OR FIXED GT TELEPHONE FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE.

THANK YOU

Q & A