Mobile Internet in Ghana | Surfline in A LEAD But…

I am on a train from London to Luton and I am able to work, using my iPhone’s EE’s 4G as a hotspot.

While in Ghana, I wrote almost all my articles in traffic: hooked on Surfline’s 4G mobile device while my friend did the driving.

I found it interesting and refreshing that such a high speed mobile internet was making waves in Accra but then there was a problem.

Almost everyone who saw me using Surfline’s mobile device said the company charges exorbitantly and as such, they couldn’t afford their fast reliable service.

It’s Internet, made free and fast in most parts of the world and yet in Africa, this case Ghana, it’s somewhat a luxury.

The mobile networks in Ghana are slow and therefore turning your phone into a hotspot is pretty useless—that is if it will even be stable.

If we are serious about developing ICT in Ghana, we need to look at our internet infrastructure, speed and cost first.

Interestingly, the U.K is great when it comes to turning mobile phones into hotspots when you are travelling because of the high mobile phone internet speed.

But the country has realised it can do better—and gradually, UK buses and trains are being equipped with free wifi. Netherlands and several countries which I regularly visit are leaders in this sector.

The power of the Internet as a tool for everything can’t be restricted; Surfline in Ghana is great but it needs to do more; reduce its charges and expand it coverage into Kumasi and other parts of the country.

Internet is not all about staying connected on social media–to some of us and friends, it’s our office, our bank and our voice.

We need it fast and reliable!

Internet start-ups and online businesses are booming in several European, American and Asian countries—all because of their fast, low cost and reliable internet.

We need this in Ghana too!

Surfline seems to have taken the lead when it comes to reliable fast internet in the capital but it should realize staying connected is a necessity, not a luxury.