Rural areas lack internet access, defying efforts at bridging digital divide
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Internet service providers (ISPs) increased to 190 between January and April in 2022, from 151 in 2021, raising hopes of meeting the 70 per cent target of broadband penetration by 2025 anticipated by Abuja.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has licensed more firms to fill internet access gaps but ISPs are still concentrated in urban areas, as the digital divide between urban and rural areas continues to widen.
NCC data shows that ISPs are concentrated in Abuja, Lagos, and Port Harcourt.
New ISPs are coming on board amid complaints by old players over tough competition with Mobile Network Operators (MNOs).
ISPs blame bigger operators – especially the four major networks, MTN, Globacom, Airtel, and 9mobile – for their woes as cheaper prices of MNOs in the retail data market are said to be the bane of ISP businesses.
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Appeal for government intervention
VDT Communications Chief Executive Officer David Omoniyi appealed to the government to come to the aid of ISPs, per reporting by Nairametrics.
According to him, ISPs who could be classified as Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the telecoms market, are dying by the day.
“Indigenous ISPs are disappearing. More than 200 have been licensed so far by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), but only a few of them are still operating. They are largely SMEs and need support to survive,” he said.
Omoniyi emphasised the role of ISPs in Nigeria’s quest for ubiquitous broadband, saying the implementation of the National Broadband Plan 2020-2025 requires the input of every stakeholder to succeed.
In his view, ISPs play significant roles in taking the service to the last mile and should be supported.
“We need to carry everybody along and one way is to keep the ISPs alive. We need the majority of them around to keep employing people and to take the service closer to the people. There is a need for targeted intervention for them to survive.”