The National Communication Commission (NCC) plans to help revive economic growth by expanding broadband Internet access throughout the country by 2020..
“Broadband is the next frontier in the information communications and technology industry which will help in the speedy transformation of the Nigerian economy,” Vice Chairman of NCC, Umar Danbatta told reporters in Lagos. “By the time we roll out broadband, we expect Internet penetration to astronomically rise.”
Dambata, who stated that about 97 million Nigerians have access to the Internet, said NCC plans to achieve its target by developing infrastructure and promoting competition, according to a policy document. An initial target would be as much as 30 per cent broadband penetration by 2018, up from 4 to 6 percent in 2012.
In a bid to start the broadband infrastructure roll-out, the NCC will award five licenses within three to six months to companies to build fiber-optic networks after the government divided the country into seven zones, Danbatta said. Two other licenses have already been issued to MainOne for Lagos and IHS for the north-central Nigeria zone, which includes the capital, Abuja.
Danbatta, who was confirmed as the new head of NCC in November, said he has taken steps to engage with the two companies in a bid to iron out issues that have stalled the development in the broadband network in Lagos and Abuja.
While the slow progress casts doubt on the country’s ability to achieve its broadband penetration target, Danbatta said it’s too early to measure success.
“We have about two and a half years left,” he said. “To make a case for review now would amount to not acknowledging the work and effort made to come up with the broadband policy of federal government.”