Ghana‘s leading data service provider, MTN,has opened the 2013 edition of the iFest month with a mini digital fair at its Ridge Towers office. The iFest month, which is observed in September every year, is aimed at driving public awareness about the multiple uses of MTN data offerings and how individuals and corporate bodies canutilizethem to enhance their personal and corporate data needs. In line with the company’s vision of leading the delivery of a bold new digital world to its customers, three major activities were outlined for the month long celebration. There will be anOpera Mini Challenge where users will be encouraged to download the opera mini browser on their phones and enjoy enhanced data speeds. There will also be targeted consumer education on radio and television focusing on how specific professional bodies can use data to enhance productivity,dubbed the “iDoctor, iFarmer, iLawyer, etc concept. Additionally, data clinics will be organized in various cities across the country to activate data as well as offer free Wi-Fi hotspots for internet browsing. The data clinic train will extend to the end of November. Taking participants through some of the activities lined up for the month-long activity at the opening ceremony, Nana Kwasi Osei Afrifa, VAS Product Marketing Managerat MTN said,“The iFest celebration is not only to create awareness but also create fun and excitement. In view of that throughout the month of September, two lucky subscribers stand the chance of winning two smarts phones (Huawei ascend Y20) each day for downloading the opera mini browser and by taking part in the iFest quizzes on radio and television.” The Chief Executive Officerof MTN,Mr.SerameTaukobong,in his address, made reference to the improved percentage rating of internet penetration in Africa and especially Ghana. He recounted the successes MTN has chalked in driving data usage in the Ghanaian community over the pastfew years that MTN has celebrated iFest month. He said, “MTN is the leader in Ghana’s data market with 63% market share. This success is due to the attractive data bundle offerings, faster speed offerings and affordable handsets which we constantly make available on the market. MTN Ghana has over a million of its subscribers using smart devices, and these subscribers require high speed internet access in order to enjoy the full benefits of their devices.” He stated that MTN has the required supporting structures and is poised to lead the delivery of a bold new digital world. “We have three modern data centers to support corporatesorganisations and individuals. We have deployed 21 Mbps data services to enhancecustomer experience.In order to enrich the data experience of our customers, we are proud to announce the testing of the next-generation of ultra-high speed connectivity of 42 Mbps,” he added. Mr. Taukobong also assured customers of MTN’s readiness to support the internet drive in Ghana and urgedall to explore, connect and enjoy MTN’s fast internet services during and after iFest. Contact: