The escalating cost of internet data in Ghana has become a persistent source of public discontent, sparking numerous campaigns and protests demanding affordability. This issue, a crucial element of modern life, has prompted the government to form a committee tasked with exploring strategies to alleviate the burden on consumers. The committee, inaugurated by the Minister for Communications, aims to dissect the factors driving data prices and propose effective solutions. Surprisingly, a significant contributor to this high cost isn’t solely attributable to telecom companies or taxes, but rather to the very way Ghanaians consume data. The heavy reliance on internationally hosted servers and gateways forms a substantial part of the problem, adding a hidden cost to every online interaction.
Dr. Ing. Kenneth Ashigbey, CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications and a member of the newly formed committee, has shed light on this often-overlooked aspect. He explains that the absence of locally hosted servers for many essential services forces data requests to traverse extensive distances, adding to the overall cost. Instead of data requests being processed within Ghana, they are routed through international gateways, often located in Europe or the United States, before returning to the user. This long and complex journey incurs substantial fees for Ghanaian internet service providers (ISPs), who subsequently pass these costs onto consumers. Essentially, every click, every scroll, every video streamed from platforms hosted abroad contributes to this hidden cost, inflating the price of data for everyone.
To illustrate this process, imagine a user in Accra accessing a YouTube video. The request doesn’t simply connect to a local server; it embarks on a transatlantic journey, traveling through undersea fiber-optic cables to a server located potentially thousands of miles away, before the information is finally relayed back to the user’s device. This intricate process necessitates that Ghanaian ISPs pay fees to international network operators for access to their infrastructure, contributing to the overall cost of providing internet services. This cost is ultimately reflected in the price consumers pay for data bundles. The problem is further compounded by the widespread use of internationally hosted cloud storage services and software applications.
This reliance on international bandwidth extends beyond individual users. Ghanaian institutions, including banks and government agencies, also contribute to the problem by utilizing foreign-hosted cloud services and software for their daily operations. Every transaction, every file stored, every email sent through these platforms adds to the demand for international bandwidth, and consequently, to the overall cost. The cumulative effect of these individual and institutional practices creates a significant outflow of resources, driving up the price of data for all users.
The solution, according to experts, lies in promoting local hosting of websites, applications, and cloud services. By shifting data processing and storage within Ghana, the distance data travels would be significantly reduced, minimizing the reliance on expensive international bandwidth. This shift would translate to lower operating costs for ISPs, potentially leading to more affordable data packages for consumers. The development and utilization of local data centers and cloud infrastructure could significantly reduce the cost and latency associated with data access, benefiting both individuals and businesses.
Addressing the issue requires a multi-faceted approach. Encouraging the development of local data centers and cloud infrastructure is crucial. This would necessitate investment in infrastructure and the development of local expertise to manage and maintain these facilities. Furthermore, government policies could incentivize businesses and organizations to transition to locally hosted services. Tax breaks, subsidies, or other forms of support could encourage the adoption of local solutions, thereby reducing reliance on foreign providers. Additionally, fostering a local tech ecosystem that supports the development of locally hosted applications and services is essential for long-term sustainability.
The high cost of internet data in Ghana is not solely a result of corporate pricing strategies or government taxation. It is intertwined with the way individuals and institutions consume data. The dependence on foreign-hosted services creates a hidden cost that is ultimately borne by the consumer. By promoting local hosting and fostering a vibrant local tech ecosystem, Ghana can address this underlying issue and pave the way for a more affordable and accessible digital future. The challenge now is to create a supportive environment that encourages the development and adoption of local solutions, leading to a sustainable reduction in data costs for all Ghanaians.
