FG Prioritises ‘Broadband Nigeria’-Johnson

Omobola Johnson, minister of Communication Technology, said that the federal government prioritises broadband infrastructural development because it’s aware of the fact that high level of broadband penetration will result in affordability and greater access to telecommunications/ICT facilities and services.

Johnson who spoke through Engineer Festus Daudu, director, Spectrum Management in the Ministry at the 10th anniversary of Telecom Consumer Parliament (TCP) in Lagos, said the expected result will in turn give rise to socio – economic development of the nation.

“It is in this regard that government has given high priority to the deployment of broadband infrastructure so as to ensure that there is a great and high level penetration to both un-served and under-served areas within the country for the benefit of all.

“The theme of today’s event is: Broadband Penetration: an Imperative for National Development”. I must say here that this theme could not have come at any other better time than now when the present administration of Mr. President, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is putting emphasis on broadband deployment in order to achieve a reasonable and acceptable level of Penetration going beyond the internationally recommended value,” the Minister said.

According to her, to achieve this great task of broadband penetration in the country and in compliance with the ITU directive, the Nigeria Administration in her determination through the Ministry in collaboration with relevant stakeholders set up a Presidential Committee on Broadband to come up with five viable plans to address the Broadband challenges.

She extolled the Committee for been able to develop and came up with a broadband plan 2013-2018 with clear road map achieving greater penetration.

This plan has since been approved by the Federal Executive Council.

In order for government to achieve increase in Broadband penetration, the Committee in its report encouraged Government to: A. Establish policies that regard ICT networks and installation as critical national infrastructure that quality for special government protection.

B. Promote transparency and reduction of build out cost by encouraging an increased level of infrastructure sharing and interconnections and introducing price caps where necessary or where market forces fail;

C. Take necessary regulatory measures to ensure better performance levels in the delivery of Broadband services;

D. Facilitate rapid rollout of wireless and wire – line infrastructure and provide incentives to encourage a national 3G wireless coverage to at least 80% of the population by 2018.

E. Timely release of more spectrum for Broadband services;

F. Foster attractive investment climate by targeting schemes for stimulating demand and providing targeted concessions, tax incentives, grants or support where needed;

G. Raise digital literacy and inclusion by using existing national assets for community access;

H. Advocate and demonstrate the benefits of Broadband within the levels of government and also among people.

Johnson recalled that one of the provisions in the plan is the establishment of a Broadband Council to ensure that the plan is implemented in full.

“The council is already inaugurated and working in earnest to deliver on mandate, which is 100% broadband penetration,” she added.