NCC, Galaxy Backbone Strengthen Ties on Digital Connectivity

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) recently visited the headquarters of Galaxy Backbone Limited in Abuja to strengthen inter-agency synergy and collaboration towards deepening connectivity for businesses and public institutions in the country.

Led by Prof. Garba Danbatta, executive vice chairman (EVC), the NCC team, compromising senior management staff of the Commission, also embarked on a tour of a Tier III National Data Centre built by Galaxy Backbone in Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

Speaking during the visit, Danbatta said that the Commission has, so far, facilitated the building of 42,000 kilometer of fibre links across the country inclusive of some 4,000 kilometres built by Galaxy Backbone, which is a licensee of the NCC.

The EVC, however, said that while the Federal Government plans to achieve 127,000 kilometre of fibre across the country in its Next Level agenda, the licensing of Infrastructure Companies (InfraCos), the capital expenditure (CAPEX) they are going to make and the counterpart funding to be provided by the Commission would create additional 30,000 kilometre of fibre, bringing total fibre laid in the country to 72,000 kilometre in the next few years.

While stating that counterpart funding would be provided by the Commission to InfraCo licensees upon attainment of deployment milestones in their respective geo-political zones, Danbatta said “the InfraCo project is a project of profound transformational significance and we are positive that the role being played by Galaxy Backbone in fibre deployment and other infrastructure build will complement the Commission’s efforts towards fast-tracking the achievement of the target of 127,000 kilometre of fibre by the current administration.”

Danbatta, who restated the commitment of the NCC in ensuring pervasive broadband availability, accessibility and affordability in the country, affirmed that the visit to Galaxy Backbone was conceived in the spirit of engendering increased synergy among the various agencies under the coordination of the Hon. Minister of Communications, Dr. Isa Ali Pantami, robust enough to deepen the frontier of digital connectivity to support the economy.

Meanwhile, Yusuf Kazaure, chief executive officer, Galaxy Backbone, who conducted the EVC and his team to strategic locations within the data centre facility, including the Network Operating Centre (NOC), National Shred Services Centre (NSSC), Telepresence Room, Data Centre Room and the Power Room, appreciated the Commission for the visit, saying it is timely and promising. “As Galaxy Backbone, it is a visit we have been yearning for. It is for us to create a synergy as industry agencies towards achieving the mandate of the Ministry of Communications on digital transformation, “ he said.