NCC Targets 70 Per Cent Broadband Penetration by 2024

The next national broadband plan will see the country reaching 70 per cent broadband penetration by 2024, according to Prof Umar Danbatta, executive vice chairman, Nigerian Communication Commissions [NCC].

Danbatta who said this when he hosted top management of Airtel Africa recently, added that “We are steadily seeing increase in broadband penetrations. As at February, there is a new target of 70 per cent in the next five years. We will come up with the new plan, so far, no official announcement has been made by the minister.

“I am sure government will come up with official announcement on the new national broadband plan, phase 2. In the area of data usage, there is also steady increase in that data usage, we are again seeing that from 4G network services.

“It is important to talk about other statistics. As at February 2019, we had 174 million Nigerians who had access to telecom voice services and  the number is steadily increasing .Internet penetration too  in real terms  is 100 million.

He commended Airtel Nigeria for being a major player in the expansion of broadband penetrations, saying “it is good to see Airtel providing services, especially 4G services, it also good to hear the level of expansion because we are seeing remarkable improvement  in broadband penetration.

“The figure are increasingly going up , we are at about 33% now. This we can attribute to very ambitious expansion of network operators like Airtel in places like Lagos, Kano, Rivers, Ibadan and Abuja. This lends credence to figure we seeing from broadband penetration.

“We are seeing increase in broadband subscription, especially to services provided by Airtel .It is   good for Nigerian to hear this that Airtel is helping us to hit the broadband penetration target.” He added.

Danbatta continue: “We were supposed to achieve 30% as at December 2018 but we have exceeded that target courtesy of national broadband plans and henceforth, whatever percentage increase NCC will give it out in percentage terms in reference to the existing Nigeria population, saying all growth parameters are steadily growing courtesy of expansion programme on 4G Operators in the country especially Airtel.

In his comment, Segun Ogunsanya, chief executive officer, Airtel Nigeria, said his organization was pleased to be at NCC.

“Over the year we have seen various mile stone some been achieved and some been surpassed, is due to your vision for the industry and support for the operators in the industry.

“By creating a level playing ground for all the players to succeed and do well. On behalf of Airtel we say big thank you. We also wish you continuous success as you regulate and lead the industry and recognize us as one of the leading telecom companies in the country. We create wealth, support and connect people,“ he said.