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| Dr. Juwah, EVC NCC |
The executive
vice chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Eugene Juwah
has proposed a three-way business model operation to fast-track the penetration
of broadband in the country.
Juwah in his
keynote address at the Nigeria Broadband Forum (NBF) organized by the
Directorate of Licensing and Competition at NCC in Lagos, said that the three
models include focus on utility, equal access and passive infrastructure
business models.
According to
him, the top on the models being proposed for adoption is the equal access
model.
This, he noted
is similar to the model implemented in countries like Singapore and Australia,
expressing optimism the model will facilitate the development of broadband in
Nigeria.
For the
Communications Technology Minister, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, the key issue in
adaptation of broadband is appropriate pricing and availability.
These, she said,
are critical in achieving universal access to Broadband, especially in rural
areas.
She assured that
government of President Goodluck Jonathan is very much interested in getting
broadband to all Nigerians, hence, the federal government is keen on setting up
Presidential Committee on Broadband Deployment in Nigeria.
Earlier,
Chairman of NCC, Mr. Peter Igho in his welcome address noted the need to
replicate the revolution in voice telephony experienced a decade ago in the provision
of broadband in the country and invited stakeholders to join hands with the
leadership of NCC in getting this done.
Also in his
address, the Secretary General, International Telecommunications Union (ITU),
Dr. Hamadoun Toure, who was represented by Internet Protocol (IP) cum
Cybersecurity Coordinators at ITU, Mr. Desire Karyabwite, harped on the
importance of establishing a transparent and effective regulatory framework and
policy for broadband development in the country.
To elucidate
discuss on the broadband subject, three sessions were held at the forum with
the first session having a sub-themes on “Broadband Demand Drivers: Economic
and regulatory approaches to ubiquitous Broadband infrastructure and services
(imperatives for national broadband development and economic growth);
Sustaining competition in a broadband market; and Multi-sectoral impact
services on the economy.
The government
was charged on creating a solid foundation for sustainable broadband
deployment, through funding and investment, while spurring national growth.
Also, government
was urged to provide enabling environment for the development of infrastructure
that will support the growth and access to broadband services at affordable
cost to consumers.
Participants
posited that availability of spectrum in the 2GHz band would drive mobile
broadband penetration and availability in Nigeria. Whereas different categories
of services should be developed to suite the various needs of customers.
In addition, the
concerted government effort at both Federal and State level to solve the
problem associated with right of way through provision of ducts along highways,
elimination of double taxation will help drive down the Capital Expenditure
(CAPEX).
They pointed out
that in order to sustain competition in a Broadband market, the global
phenomenon such as the scissors-effect and economic recession pose significant
threat to the capacity to finance broadband infrastructure developments.
Asserting that
broadband would facilitate the growth and availability of innovative and
evolving Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) services which will
increase the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Just as the
provision of incentives by government will stimulate investments in Broadband
deployment similar to the tax exemption granted to GSM operators at the
inception of GSM mobile services in Nigeria.
Recent study
shows that there is huge demand gap for broadband services in Nigeria. However,
there is insufficient infrastructure to support the provision of broadband to
meet the demand.
Director, Policy
and Competition at NCC, by Mrs. Lolia Emakpore, in her paper ‘Demand as
catalyst for broadband services in Nigeria’ said that the forum was just the
beginning of consultation and collaboration.
As Nigerians
look forward to see how the regulator and key players in broadband penetration
including MainOne, Glo1, MTN’s WASC and SAT-3 management would liaise in the
delivery of much awaited to the last mile, Nigerians are watching.
... Making SENSE of digital revolution!
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