Ghana’s government is planning to introduce a “Dig Once” policy that could reduce fibre internet rollout costs, according to reports. Sam George has been associated with the announcement, though details on the policy’s specifics and timeline remain limited. If implemented successfully, this could mean faster and cheaper broadband reaching more towns and cities across the country.
What is the ‘Dig Once’ policy?
The general concept behind “Dig Once” policies is to coordinate infrastructure work so that multiple utilities can lay cables during a single excavation, rather than conducting separate projects. This approach is used in some countries to reduce the duplication of roadworks and lower deployment costs.
The exact details of how Ghana’s version would work—which companies or utilities would participate, and how costs would be shared—have not yet been made public.
Why does this matter for Ghanaians?
Lower rollout costs could make it more economically viable for telecom companies to bring fibre to smaller towns and rural areas. This could potentially lead to faster internet speeds and increased competition among providers, which typically puts downward pressure on prices.
Currently, fixed-line broadband availability varies across Ghana, with many areas relying primarily on mobile internet services. A policy that reduces fibre deployment costs could expand access to high-speed fixed broadband.
What happens next?
Based on available information, this appears to be a policy proposal in early stages. The government would need to work with telecom regulators and companies to establish the framework for how such coordination would function in practice.
Implementation would require addressing practical considerations specific to Ghana’s infrastructure landscape and regulatory environment.
What you should watch for
Look for official announcements from government agencies and telecom regulators regarding the policy’s development. If the Dig Once policy advances, details should emerge about implementation timelines, participating companies, and which regions might see fibre expansion first.
Changes to internet infrastructure typically take time to materialize. If this policy moves forward, it would signal government commitment to expanding broadband availability and potentially reducing costs across Ghana.
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