Page 74 - SAMENA Trends - August-September 2025

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Government Moves to Secure AT Subscribers as Debt Crisis Threatens
Service

The Government has directed AT (formerly AirtelTigo) and Telecel
Ghana to implement a national roaming arrangement, allowing
AT’s traffic to be migrated onto Telecel’s network, the Ministry of
Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations announced
on September 6. The measure is to safeguard more than three
million AT subscribers after the operator’s network came under
threat from site disconnections by American Tower Corporation
(ATC) Ghana over unpaid debts. According to the Ministry, on
September 1, 2025, ATC began disconnecting power to AT’s radio
access sites, raising the risk of widespread service disruption. Over
three million AT Ghana subscribers were at risk of losing access
to voice, data, and mobile money services due to the debt crisis.
In Ghana, where mobile services are critical for daily life, financial
transactions, and small businesses, such a sudden blackout would
have carried serious social and economic consequences. Just
days later, on September 4, the government confirmed plans to
merge AT Ghana, which it fully owns, with Telecel Ghana, in which it
holds a 30% stake, in a bid to create a stronger and more financially
sustainable competitor. The Ministry announced during a staff
engagement session, where sector minister Samuel Nartey George
reassured AT’s 300 permanent employees that their jobs would be
protected. He also stressed that customers would not experience
service disruptions during the transition. The decision, he noted, is
rooted in AT Ghana’s difficult financial situation. The operator has
posted losses of more than $10 million in the first eight months
of 2025, financed largely through taxpayer funds. “We cannot
continue to pump scarce public funds into an operation that is not
sustainable,” George said.

Robi Brings Roaming to Over 70

Countries

Robi has simplified international mobile communication for
Bangladeshi travelers by launching local currency based roaming
services. Customers can now purchase roaming packs across
more than 70 countries directly from their main balance in
Bangladeshi Taka via the ‘My Robi’ and ‘My Airtel’ apps-eliminating
the need for credit cards or foreign payment methods. The service
was officially unveiled at Robi’s corporate office in Tejgaon,
Dhaka. Customers can buy roaming packs before departure, with
activation occurring automatically upon arrival at their destination.
Shihab Ahmad, Chief Commercial Officer of Robi Axiata PLC
stated, “Our new roaming packs provide greater data allowances,
enhanced features, and competitive pricing. They offer travelers
cost-effective data bundles, combo deals, and Asia-specific

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