Telecom
How and Why Broadband Revolution is not Spreading-Rudman
Access to “always on” and “fast Internet service” generally referred to as broadband may continue to elude Nigerians because of a number of factors including power challenges and harsh operating environment, according to Mohammed Rudman, managing director, Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN).
Rudman also waxed worriedly and lamented that despite the avalanche of undersea cable systems, each with landing points on the shores of Nigeria; broadband revolution is yet to be widespread.
According to him, broadband is now become a basic need and an index of development like access to electricity and telephones.
Investigations showed that one of the major obstacles to telecommunications service delivery in the country is absence of last mile infrastructure required to deliver services to consumers of these services at their respective homes and offices.
Last mile infrastructure is that transmission infrastructure telecommunications operators used to deliver services to potential subscribers at their domains.
Basically, infrastructure required in this regard includes optic fibre and microwave.
But, Rudman wondered why Nigeria is finding it difficult to provide broadband services when larger countries like India and China have been able to extend reliable internet services beyond their major cities.
With investments in undersea cable infrastructure in Nigeria in excess of $3 billion, most of the capacities brought into the country have remained in the Lagos region because of the challenges of distribution.
Rudman also decried the harsh operating environment which has forced operators to compromise network rollout and said that the situation has forced operators to site a single cell site at a location that requires three cell sites.
“Each cell site has a limited capacity of subscribers it can contain in a particular location, but in Nigeria, you need to buy land, go through legal processes for approval, and build mast with generators as well as security, just for you to run a cell site. These operators are doing business and instead of them to put three cell sites they will put one in order for them to recoup their investment.” He added
He noted that in some other countries, operators don’t go through rigorous process before building masts which are mostly built on existing building as against land.
Rudman enjoined Nigerians protect telecommunications infrastructure just like the way equipment of Power Holding Company of Nigeria are protected.
This is coming against the backdrop of over 7Tb/s of undersea internet capacity lying idle while subscribers are yet to experience broadband service.
Meta may shut down its Facebook and Instagram services in Nigeria in protest against the substantial fines imposed by multiple government agencies.
The tech giant has been ordered to pay nearly $300 million in fines in Africa’s most populous nation, following regulatory demands which Meta described as “unrealistic.”
In July 2024, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), imposed a $220 million fine on Meta for allegedly discriminatory and exploitative practices against Nigerian consumers.
The commission stated that Meta had failed to engage a Data Protection Compliance Organisation and had not submitted a Nigeria Data Protection Regulation audit report for two consecutive years.
Similarly, the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), demanded $37.5 million over unapproved advertising, while the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC), announced a $32.8 million fine for an alleged data privacy breach.
Meta challenged the decisions at the Federal High Court in Abuja but was unsuccessful, as the court upheld the fines in a ruling delivered last week.
The court directed the company to comply with payment by the end of June, but Meta has indicated it may not do so, according to the BBC.
“The applicant may be forced to effectively shut down the Facebook and Instagram services in Nigeria in order to mitigate the risk of enforcement measures,” the company stated in court documents.
Responding to the NDPC’s assertion that Meta’s data processing could expose Nigerian users to health and financial risks, the company said the agency had failed to “properly interpret the laws guiding data privacy.”
As the Premier League season enters its final stretch, MTN Nigeria is set to stage simultaneous watch parties in Abuja and Uyo on Sunday, May 4, giving football fans a shared space to experience the highs and lows of matchday.
The events, scheduled for Farm City in Wuse and Pyramid Lounge & Grill in Uyo, are expected to attract large turnouts as MTN continues to deepen its connection with football audiences nationwide.
The line-up for the day includes four Premier League fixtures, culminating in a marquee showdown between Chelsea and Liverpool. Earlier games such as Brentford vs Manchester United, Brighton vs Newcastle, and West Ham vs Tottenham will round out a packed viewing schedule. With top four ambitions, title races, and European dreams on the line, the fixtures promise high-stakes drama and entertainment.
MTN’s EPL watch parties have grown into a recurring highlight for fans who want more than just a screen, they want atmosphere. This weekend’s events will feature expansive screen setups, branded fan zones, and side attractions including live trivia and merchandise giveaways.
For MTN, the activations represent an opportunity to tap into the communal spirit of football, a sport that unites Nigerians across regions and loyalties. The brand’s involvement in football has steadily evolved from sponsorship to full-scale experiences, allowing it to build affinity with youth audiences and sports lovers alike.
In recent years, MTN has emerged as a key driver of fan engagement through its partnership with SuperSport and broader investment in Nigeria’s football ecosystem. These dual-city events reflect that strategy in motion, bringing the Premier League closer to the streets and ensuring fans are not just spectators, but participants in the global game.
With anticipation running high and bragging rights on the line, Sunday’s watch parties are shaping up to be a celebration of sport, identity, and the power of community on and off the pitch.
Telecommunications services disrupted in Kogi State have resumed following a resolution of the dispute between MTN Nigeria and the state government, the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has said.
Gbenga Adebayo, chairman of ALTON, told TVC News that the issues that led to the shutdown of telecom masts in the state, primarily affecting MTN, had been addressed, paving the way for service restoration.
TVC News earlier reported that businessmen and women were counting their losses as they suffered the impact of a shut down of telecommunication service in Kogi State
Over the past two weeks, telecoms connectivity had been erratic, with competing brands experiencing glitches, particularly in the Lokoja metropolis.
The State government suspended the operations of some telecom services citing unpaid taxes and fibre-related dues.
The shutdown stemmed from a compliance dispute between MTN and the Kogi State Utility Infrastructure Management and Compliance Agency, which accused the telecom giant of violating operational rules and under-declaring the extent of its optic fibre network coverage in the state.
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