The Nigerian Communications Commission
(NCC) has reiterated resolve to auction and conclude the 2.3 Gega Hertz (GHZ)
spectrum license before the end of first quarter of 2014, DigitalSENSE Business News reports.
This, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of
NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah says would be auctioned soon to provide last mile wireless
access on a wholesale basis, with a targeted 30 per cent broadband penetration by
the December 2014, following the call for expression of interest by
stakeholders.
Speaking at the weekend gathering of industry
stakeholders by NCC to address issues on open access model for next generation
fibre optics broadband network in the country, Dr. Juwah
told DigitalSENSE Business News
that the regulatory body's model has no discrimination whatsoever on the notion
that the optic fibre borders around broadband which is of great importance to
the nation as it contributes towards social and economic growth among others.
The open access model, he explained, would
optimise the cost of broadband access in the nation, having been examined as
the model for optic fibre transmission network development towards bridging the
gap while delivering fast and reliable broadband services to homes and
businesses.
He said that an estimated 56 per cent of
the nation's 774 local government areas lack presence of backbone optic fibre,
and the cost of internet access is still high, which is attributable to the
numerous challenges facing broadband deployment in the country.
NCC, Juwah noted is of the view that cost
effective widespread deployment of robust national and metropolitan optic fibre
transmission network is key towards ensuring that Nigeria achieves its vision
20:2020 economic transformation blueprint.
Stressing that effective broadband
deployment would include ensuring an even playing ground where infrastructure
sharing takes place.
With Nigeria's broadband penetration
currently at 6.1 per cent, NCC, he said is targeting 30 per cent broadband
penetration by the end of 2014, in anticipation of the intensive rollout of
broadband in the coming year.
NCC, he said, in its capacity would not
back down on its regulatory intervention as well as in the provision of an
enabling environment for players to thrive.
Equally, the EVC said NCC would continue to
drive and support high speed broadband connectivity to end users via various
initiatives.
DigitalSENSE Business News also
gathered from the Director, Public Affairs Department, NCC, Mr. Tony Ojobo that the commission is
expecting “Information Memorandum” with detail qualification criteria, auction
processes, requisite forms and key information.
'Yinka Awosanya/GEE
... Making SENSE of digital revolution!Pix: Juwah, EVC, NCC
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