The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has revealed that it targets achieving 90 per cent Broadband penetration by 2025.
Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the telecoms regulatory body, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, gave the assurance in his keynote speech at the maiden “Talk-To-The -Regulator (TTTR) Forum, ongoing in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
He further assured that the Commission will achieve above 50 per cent Broadband penetration by the end of 2023.
The TTTR Forum is a common platform for non-discriminatory interaction on a one-on-one basis, between the licensees and the regulator on sundry industry issues pertinent to the licensees and which are of national interest.
The NCC EVC disclosed that the regulatory agency is providing industry leadership to facilitate the achievements of the set targets, in line with the Nigeria National Broadband Plan (NNBP 2020 – 2025).
“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 includes 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 facilitate the achievement of 90 per cent Broadband penetration by 2025, and well above 50 per cent at the end of 2023.
“Currently, I50 million Nigerians have access to internet, while over 80 million can access high speed internet,” Danbatta said.
The NCC boss said the TTTR Forum, with the theme “Enhancing Stakeholders’ Satisfaction”, was to create opportunities to interact with its licensees on industry issues and new trends, via stakeholder fora, in tune with the NCC’s mandate.
This, he said, was with a view to gathering relevant information that would further advance the development of the telecom industry, while improving regulations and service delivery to consumers.
He said the Forum was originally scheduled to hold in 2022, but was postponed due to the flood disaster that hit Bayelsa and some other states then.
“The Commission, therefore, seize this opportunity to commiserate with the people of Bayelsa State and the entire nation on the worst flood disaster recorded in the history of the nation.
“We pray that such natural disaster shall not plaque our dear nation again, and equally believe that the state has made adequate preparations for any future occurrences,” he added.
Welcoming the NCC licensees to the Forum, Danbatta expressed the hope that the necessary measures to improve investment and service delivery would be identified and discussed during the two-day session.
He also admonished the licensees to feel free to ask questions, provide feedback and proffer possible solutions that would address the concerns that might be raised during the interactive sessions.
