NCC rolls out plans to achieve 30% broadband penetration by 2018




In line with the 30 percent broadband penetration target of the Federal Government as stated in the National Broadband Plan (NBP), the Nigerian Communication Commission, NCC has rolled out plans to license more broadband operators in order to make internet accessibility more ubiquitous in the country.This was made known by the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, NCC, Umar Garba Danbatta in Lagos.

According to him part of the plan of the Commission is to complete the licensing of infrastructure companies, adding that two infrastructure companies (Infracos) have already been licensed to offer services both in Lagos and North-Central Zone under Phase 1 licensing round.

Danbatta who was represented by the  Director of Technical Standard and Network Integrity for NCC, Mr. Fidelis Onah while speaking at the Building Industry Consulting Service International (BICSI) annual Middle East and Africa (MEA) Conference and Exhibition organized in Lagos said,“The NCC will continue to drive and sup­port high speed connectivity and infrastructure which is the bedrock of ICT growth and development to end-users through initiative such as license Infracos on a regional basis to provide fibre and wholesale transmission services on a non-discriminatory, open access and price regulated basis. 

He added that, “the phase 2 licensing of Infracos for the remaining five geopolitical zones will commence soon”.

He stated that the availability of infrastructure is unarguably the backbone for affordable, reliable and ubiquitous broadband services across the country, adding  that the commission is already putting in place the required infrastructure to accelerate broadband penetration.

“NCC will create an enabling environment for easy and efficient deployment of fibre optics transmission network; continue ongoing talks and discussions with various levels of government to facilitate speed in the processing of permits, harmonisation of tax regimes and ease of deployment of infrastructure including right of way charges; enhance competition in the market and improving consumer choices;classification of telecoms infrastructure as Critical National Infrastructure,” Danbatta said.

 “The mobile revolution is still ongoing. The broadband revolution is about to commence; the solid metro and backbone ICT infrastructure required to carry and sustain the huge amount of data to be generated is already being planned to be put in place,” he added.

According to him effective distribution of infrastructure and broadband penetration will help deepen IT skills as well as increase the country’s GDP exponentially.

“This will yield the growth, development and increase in GDP that is necessary for Nigeria to take her place in the league of ICT savvy nations. It takes effective distribution of infrastructure to have services permeate all nooks and crannies of the country,”he reckoned. 
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