How NCC is improving access to broadband penetration?

Bukola Afeni

Suleiman Danjuma lives on the outskirts of Abuja, for several years he cannot access network service until recently he moved to Zuba, where the he can access good Telecommunicatoon services.

The Nigerian Communications Commission through the implementation of various policy initiatives, particularly the National Broadband Plan (2020-2025), had improved access to broadband penetration  for over 80 million Nigerians.

The Commission is targeting the provision of Point of Broadband Access (PoA) in all the 774 local government areas (LGAs) of the country, within the plan period.

” NCC is committed to addressing such challenges as Right of Way (RoW) issue, multiple taxation, vandalism of telecom infrastructure, among others, confronting the licensees as they roll out services.
The Commission carried out a study to determine areas where there are access gaps in the country.”
“We identified 217 clusters of access gaps and today, we have ensured more Nigerians are digitally-included by reducing the number of access gaps to 114 currently, while more measures are being taken to further reduce the access gaps, thereby deepening digital inclusion.”

Speaking about NCC’s various regulatory efforts, Danbatta said Nigeria’s telecoms sector had reached an all-time-high, basic internet subscription of 154 million.

“Over 87 million broadband subscriptions, representing 45.93 per cent broadband penetration, over 207 million voice subscriptions with teledensity standing at 108.94 per cent as at October, 2020.”

Danbatta, who is also the Chairman of the West African Telecommunication Regulatory Assembly (WATRA), said the Nigerian Communications Commission has been recognised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), as Africa’s foremost regulatory organisation.