NCA delinks Surfline SIMs from Central Database following service outage
Surfline has been hit by a service outage following a decision by ATC Ghana, a prominent tower company, to cease support for Surfline’s network equipment. The move was prompted by alleged non-payment of bills by Surfline over a period of seven years, which led to mounting financial strain on the company. As a result, the National Communications Authority (NCA) has taken action by delinking all Surfline SIM cards from the Central SIM Database.
The service disruption, which has persisted for months, has caused significant inconvenience to Surfline customers, who were left without access to essential communication services. It has been revealed that ATC Ghana had been pre-financing power and fuel bills for Surfline, with the expectation of regular payments from the telecommunications provider. However, Surfline’s failure to settle its financial obligations, despite concessions and efforts to facilitate payment, compelled ATC Ghana to halt its support.
According to Techfocus24, Surfline was originally required to pay ATC Ghana a minimum of GHS2.5 million each month. Due to financial constraints, the company was granted a concession by ATC Ghana and the NCA, allowing it to pay a reduced monthly amount of GHS1.5 million until its legacy debt was cleared. Regrettably, Surfline eventually defaulted on this arrangement as well, managing to make only GHS1.1 million in monthly payments.
The termination of ATC Ghana’s support for Surfline’s equipment was a critical factor in the subsequent service outage experienced by Surfline customers. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the NCA promptly engaged with Surfline to determine the best course of action. As a result, the decision was made to delink and remove all Surfline SIM cards from the Central SIM Database.
The NCA has assured affected subscribers that the delinking process will now allow them to link additional SIM cards to their Ghana Cards. This is particularly significant for customers who had reached the maximum limit of 10 SIM cards due to the inclusion of Surfline SIMs. By removing the Surfline SIMs from the database, customers will be able to regain access to essential telecommunications services.
The NCA has also underscored its unwavering commitment to safeguarding the interests of Surfline customers and all users of telecommunications services in Ghana. The regulatory authority has taken proactive measures to address the service disruption and alleviate the limitations faced by affected subscribers. Efforts are underway to compensate Surfline customers for the prolonged period of service outage and the loss of prepaid data on their delinked SIM cards.
While the compensation process is currently being formulated, Surfline customers can look forward to restitution for the inconvenience caused. The NCA aims to ensure that affected subscribers are adequately compensated for the disruption in services and any financial losses incurred.
The incident involving Surfline highlights the importance of financial discipline and timely bill payments for businesses operating in the telecommunications sector. The repercussions of unpaid bills can have far-reaching consequences, impacting the quality of services provided and undermining the trust of customers.
As the situation unfolds, industry stakeholders, regulatory authorities, and the affected telecommunications provider must work together to rectify the issues and establish sustainable measures to prevent similar disruptions in the future. A robust and well-regulated telecommunications sector is essential for the overall development and growth of Ghana’s economy, ensuring reliable and efficient communication networks for businesses and individuals alike.
The service outage experienced by Surfline due to unpaid bills has prompted ATC Ghana to withdraw support for the company’s network equipment. The NCA has responded by delinking Surfline SIMs from the Central SIM Database, enabling affected customers to link additional SIMs to their Ghana Cards. Efforts are underway to compensate Surfline customers for the disruption and loss of prepaid data. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of financial discipline and timely payments in the telecommunications sector, while emphasizing the need for collaboration among stakeholders to maintain a robust industry for the benefit of all.
