Telecom backbone takes off to facilitate NNBP 2020-2025 targets
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
A sum of N800 billion has been ring-fenced by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for a National Communications Backbone to speed up the deployment of broadband infrastructure nationwide.
The project will facilitate expansion of broadband services and the 70 per cent broadband penetration target in the Nigeria National Broadband Plan (NNBP 2020-2025).
The National Broadband Infrastructure Joint Committee (NBIJC) chaired by NCC Digital Economy Director Augustine Nwaulune will support efforts to meet the broadband targets.
Members of the committee include Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), Infrastructure Companies (InfraCos), and Tower Companies (TowerCos).
NCC Legal and Regulatory Services Director Josephine Amuwa explained the committee was borne out of the need to inject a broad-based industry solution to impediments to broadband targets.
Amuwa spoke when she presided over the inauguration of the committee on behalf NCC Executive Vice Chairman Umar Danbatta.
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Driving NNBP targets
The committee will drive the targets set by the NNBP, which include
- Deployment of 120,000 kilometres of fibre across the country
- Deepening broadband penetration to 70 per cent by 2025
- Connection of 60 per cent of communication towers with fibre
“I appreciate your willingness and readiness to make a considerable investment of time and talent to participate in this committee,” Amuwa said, quoting Danbatta, per reporting by Nairametrics.
“We appreciate that you will provide an invaluable perspective as we seek to address gaps impeding the actualisation of the NCB and NNBP initiatives.
“The depth and scope of experiences represented by the broad spectrum of this committee’s membership will, no doubt, provide the Commission with much-needed insight and drive to overcome the challenges facing broadband infrastructure deployment in the country, and even exceed the current set targets.”
Terms of reference
The terms of reference of the committee include:
Enhance collaboration between MNOs and InfraCos to achieve the target of the NCB and design an NCB network architecture and a harmonised plan for a viable business case to attract investors.
Establish synergy between MNOs and InfraCos, and facilitate infrastructure deployment.
Organise an NCB financing workshop and invite all major financial institutions, including MNOs, InfraCos, and present the project for adoption and financing.
Initiate engagements with sources of funding, among them the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Infrastructure Corporation of Nigeria (InfraCorp), Africa Development Bank (AfDB), and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).