FG set to License Bandwidth Services Providers

Federal Ministry of Communications Technology has initiated a plan to license telecommunications infrastructure companies to provide bandwidth services to Nigerians.

The ministry stated this in a progress and programmes report made available to the media yesterday in Abuja.

The report said that the initiative would ensure faster deployment of National Broadband Network (NBN) plan across the country.

It said that the infrastructure companies (INFRASCOS) would provide intercity fibre which will include the provision of metro fibre.

The report stated that under the initiative, geographically focused INFRACOS would provide wholesale bandwidth services on a non-discriminatory, open access and price regulated basis.

“The objective of the initiative is to stimulate a new national broadband network that is not only more widespread, but also faster and more secure than what is available today.

“We are confident this will stimulate other sectors of the economy and lead to higher economic benefits for the country.

“In addition, this will offer efficient connectivity as well as ultra-high-speed broadband services that are available, affordable and sustainable,’’ the report said.

It said that the INFRACOS would provide transmission services that would be available at access points to access seekers.

It said that the initiative would allow existing players on the basis of business-as-usual, with the option of transferring or leasing their inter-city and existing metropolitan fibre infrastructure to the INFRACOS.

The Federal Government had in September 2013 inaugurated a presidential committee to develop a National Broadband Strategy to achieve universal broadband services in Nigeria.