Lagos, ALTON Sign MoU on Deployment of Infrastructure

Lagos state government has signed a memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) as part of efforts to mitigate the challenges hindering the roll-out of telecommunications facilities across its domain.

The MoU will result in the removal hiccups operators face on Right of Way (RoW) issues, while also checking cases of multiple regulation and taxation, as well as vandalism, among others

It also guide the deployment telecommunications infrastructure in the state

Biyi Mabadeje, Ccommissioner for Science and Technology, Lagos State, said the MoU will enable telecommunications operators to deploy up-to-date network and rollout services to the benefit of consumers in the state.

“We are looking at development in the state which telecommunications infrastructure will drive. To this end, we have slash the approval fee for ‘right of way’ approvals by 85% to allow operators build quality network for effective service deliver for the benefit of Lagosians,” he said.

Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, ALTON, said that major problem of quality of service is deployment of infrastructure and that by the agreement the Association signed with Lagos State, the state has shown that development of telecommunications infrastructure assist in economic development.

He reaffirmed the determination of operators to deploy infrastructure in the state more than any other state in the country.

“Lagos will experience the best quality of service in telecommunications service delivery in the country within the next 6 to 12 months. This will make Lagos will become a smart city.”
 
He said that the MoU allows Lagos state to be apart owners of telecommunications infrastructure deployed in the state and also ensure a more healthy relationship between operators and Lagos state government.

He noted that the agreement has given telecom infrastructure first layer of protection by the state government, eliminate multiple approval in the state as all the necessary approvals have been streamlined.

“We have also agreed to co-share infrastructure and to deploy the most modern equipment in our network upgrade required to make the city a smart city it is aspiring to become.”