Spatial Distribution of Telecom Masts, Accessibility and Customer Hotspots in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area, Ghana
Emmanuel Yeboah
Department of Geography & Resource Development, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana.
Isaac Sarfo
Research Institute for History of Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, 210044 Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Michael Batame *
Department of Natural Resources Management, ITC, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands.
Clement Kwang
Department of Geography & Resource Development, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana.
Foster Kofi Addai
Department of Geography & Resource Development, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana.
John Ernest Koku
Department of Social Sciences, Central University, Accra, Ghana.
Ben Aikins
Bedeston Technologies and Consultancy Services Limited, Accra, Ghana.
Otoka Niabanga Dania Madeleina
School of Computer & Software, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, 210044 Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Anita Boah
Department of Public Health, University of Illinois, Springfield, USA.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Geographical distribution of telecommunication masts, patronage, and provision of quality services, without unintended consequences, remain vital for telecommunication operators. The spatial distribution of telecommunication masts and services in Ghana are not uniformly distributed, resulting in the disparities of signal strengths in different locations. Bad signals directly or indirectly affect various forms of business transactions and communication activities. We assessed the spatial distribution of telecom masts and customer hotspots for the major telecommunication networks in Ghana using geospatial techniques. Findings revealed most of the telecom masts were highly concentrated in Accra Metropolis. Again, most of the enterprise business customers were clustered within the 4-km radii of sited masts. More investment is needed by telecommunication industries to boost patronage, particularly in La Dade Kotopon and Tema Metropolis. The area’s prospect of attracting more customers increases sustainability concerns of telecommunication masts availability, accessibility, environmental health and management risks, among key industrial players.
Keywords: GIS, telecommunication industry, enterprise business customer hotspot, web-based application, Accra