The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has spoken of how it intends to achieve 90% Broadband penetration by 2025.
The commission also says that more than 50 per cent of the 90 per cent will be achieved at the end of 2023.
Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Professor Umar Danbatta, revealed in the
first `Talk-To-The Regulator ` Forum 2023, held in the South-South, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The ‘Talk-To-The Regulator` Forum is a platform for non-discriminatory interaction on a one-on-one basis between the Licensees and the Regulator on several industry issues pertinent to the Licensees and of national interest.
Danbatta also disclosed that over an I50 million Nigerians have internet access, while over 80 million can access high-speed internet.
Speaking on the measures and the interventions the commission has taken to improve regulations to accommodate the rapid and continuous development in the sector, Danbatta said: “You will agree with me that the telecom industry has witnessed milestones in more ways than one, including the rapid growth in technology, which is redefining service delivery, and creating wide and high expectations from all stakeholders.
“To keep up to date with developments in the industry, the Commission has equally taken measures to improve regulations to accommodate the rapid and continuous development.
“Some of the interventions and responses of the Commission include but are not limited to Facilitating the Roll-Out of 5G Service provision.
“Introduction of Mobile Virtual Network Operator, MVNO, Licence to bridge the gap between unserved and underserved areas.
“The Commission is currently reviewing the scope and structure of its existing licenses to make them more robust and to accommodate some of the identified new industry trends.
“In line with the Nigeria National Broadband Plan (NNBP 2020 – 2025), the NCC is providing industry leadership to achieve 90% Broadband penetration by 2025 and well above 50% at the end of 2023. Currently, over One Hundred and Fifty (I50) million Nigerians have access to the internet, while over eighty (80) million can access high-speed internet.
“I am pleased to welcome our Licensees to this event and hopeful that during the 2-Day Session, we will discuss and identify the measures necessary to improve investment and service delivery.”
He said, “I, therefore, appeal to you all to feel free to ask questions, provide feedback and proffer possible solutions to address the concerns that might be raised during the interactive sessions.”
The EVC had earlier said that: “The TTTR Forum in Yenagoa, which was initially scheduled to hold in 2022 but was postponed due to the dreadful flood disaster that hit Bayelsa and some other states in the year.
‘The Commission, therefore, seize this opportunity to commiserate with the people of Bayelsa State and the nation on the worst flood disaster recorded in the nation’s history. “We pray that such natural disaster shall not plaque our dear nation again and equally believe that the state has made adequate preparations for future occurrences.
“The Nigeria Communications Commission, in keeping with its mandate, creates opportunities to interact with its licensees on industry issues and new trends via stakeholder fora, to gather relevant information that would further advance the development of the industry, while improving regulations and service delivery to telecom consumers, the EVC said.
