With just over 42.93% broadband penetration in Nigeria, stakeholders that gathered for the Virtual Structured Engagement on the new National Broadband Plan 2020-2025 have enumerated measures that would accelerate the growth and speed of broadband deployment in the country.
The forum, which was organised by the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) as a platform to strategise on how to achieve the 70% broadband penetration target as stipulated in the National Broadband Plan 2020-2025, highlighted the challenges being faced by telecom operators as impediments. It also proffered measures to be taken to achieve the stipulated target.
In his Keynote Address, the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Pantami explained the need for accelerated broadband deployment: “Broadband technology is a contributor to economic growth at several levels. It supports the development of the digital economy, consequently improving the nation’s traditional economy. Broadband enhances financial inclusion, security, education and is a key enabler for all the other sectors of the economy.”
In his address which he titled, “Enhancing The Contributions Of Stakeholders Towards The Nigerian National Broadband Plan Through Enabling Policies”, the Minister further laid out the plan, which outlines a trajectory for significantly improving the broadband penetration in Nigeria over a period of 5 years, a replacement for the initial Broadband Plan which expired in 2018.
The new broadband plan, he noted, seeks to deliver data download speeds across Nigeria at a minimum of 25Mbps in urban areas, and 10Mbps in rural areas, with effective coverage available to at least 90% of the population and penetration rate of 70% by 2025 at a price not more than N390 per 1GB of data (2% of median income or 1% of minimum wage).
Dr. Pantami also pointed out that the new Broadband Plan targets the deployment of nationwide fibre coverage to reach all State Capitals, and enable the provision of a point of presence in at least 90% of Local Government Headquarters. It also targets tertiary educational institutions, major hospitals in each state and fibre connectivity at statutory rates of N145/meter for Right of Way (RoW), all within the stipulated 5-year period.
To achieve the set targets, the Minister said the Plan will focus mainly on Infrastructure development, Policy formulation, driving demand, and Funding/Incentives.
He explained further: “These focus areas are further broken down into 55 initiatives towards the actualization of the targets. Infrastructure is focused on building integrated infrastructure that is sustainable and resilient to close the gaps in addressing the broadband needs of the country and is geared towards extending broadband services to undeserved and under-served areas in Nigeria. The Policy pillar addresses issues relating to the efficient use of spectrum, right of way, site acquisition policies, availability of infrastructure and market efficiency. Demand Drivers address barriers to the low usage rate and adoption of broadband services in the Country. Funding/Incentives identify the relevant financial incentives, fiscal policy, economic models and funding options to help the achievement of broadband penetration targets.”
According to Dr. Pantami, the diligent implementation of the recommendations in these focus areas through a multi-stakeholder approach will also give the country a push into economic prosperity and create opportunities for job creation and innovation that will influence the GDP positively.
However, in his presentation, Managing Director of Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya highlighted measures that should be in place for broadband growth in the country, stating that access to broadband is a basic human right, just like electricity and water.
He charged the federal government to prioritise foreign exchange (FOREX) to operators and ensure spectrum availability while employing the use-or-lose policy. He also asked that the federal government should protect telecom infrastructure by enforcing the Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) advocated for such infrastructure.
Other areas he pointed to for attention include, multiple taxation, Open Access to fibre, special incentive for broadband deployment in rural areas, citing other countries that provided stimulant funding for broadband deployment.
Chairman of MTN Nigeria, and former Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Ernest Ndukwe, while noting that MTN Nigeria is doing its utmost best in ensuring that the goals of the NNBP is achieved, pointed out that all hands must be on deck to achieve the 70% target penetration. He said the federal government should take up the challenge of providing metro and long distant fibre rollouts, while also ensuring the implementation of the agreed 145/per linear square meter RoW charge across all the states.
While commending the states that have already started the implementation, especially those that totally waived the charge, Ndukwe said he is looking out for Local Government Areas that will offer free right of way to operators for development of their locality.
He noted that Infrastructure development rests on the operators, but the government should make strong policy statements that will boost the efforts of the private sector.
