Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) said it will embark on industry-wide consultations where all issues related to the national broadband plans will be dissected and has invited industry associations to be part of the discussions. Dr. Eugene Juwah, executive vice chairman, NCC stated this Wednesday in Abuja when he hosted a working meeting on broadband expansion initiatives with Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria, (ATCON). He told the leadership of ATCON that the issue of broadband availability and penetration in Nigeria today is very dear to the Commission and that his commission has indicated it as one of the key areas that it would focus its interest in the next few years. “You may be aware that we have taken various steps to actualize our broadband dream. We have articulated a strategy for the implementation of the Broadband Master Plan based on infrastructure sharing. We have indeed developed a model based on ‘Open Access’ in which the role of the Network Operator is distinct from those of the Service Providers. In this arrangement, the network provider offers access to the service providers on a non-discriminatory basis in a competitively neutral environment. Service providers, or corporations, or institutions, or even the public are allowed to access services in line with their needs” Juwah said According to him, underlining these models and strategies are issues of availability, affordability, stimulation of demands for services, attraction of investments, creation of more employment opportunities, penetration of services to the nooks and crannies of the country, improving governance and energizing the economy. Juwah said that “we have shared notes with the International Telecommunications Union, ITU, on these strategies and models and the global telecom regulator has been quite supportive. We want to ensure that our strategies and models tally with global standards for sustained growth while addressing a peculiar local environment. In the course of this meeting, we may be able to also compare notes with ATCON which has been very active in articulating ideas on how best Nigeria can benefit from broadband opportunities” He solicited the collaboration and support of ATCON which he added has shown commitment to the growth and development of the industry for the benefit of our nation and its citizenry. Earlier, Engr. Titi Omo-Ettu, President of ATCON told the EVC that his association is motivated to complement the work of the Commission in all ways it can so that the telecom industry will progress with little stress. Omo-Ettu, said, that ATCON, has reasons to be happy with the Commission on the matter of expanding the frontiers of broadband internet access for Nigerians. “If access is widespread and affordable, it promotes the businesses of those who invest in our industry and whose investments our Association is obliged to always protect. The Commission has always been supportive of our projects and programmes and we are happy it continues to do so. Our reason for initiating this meeting is to enable us compare notes with the Commission on its Broadband Expansion Vision, harmonise our plans with the Commission’s. Also, we seek the Commission’s listening ears when we would have latched unto its programme and its support at any bend” he added
NCC, ATCON Join Hands to Chart Broadband Course
