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| ATCON president, Omo-Ettu, EVC, NCC, Juuwah & Itanyi |
He
made this remark at a working meeting on broadband expansion initiative by the
Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) held at NCC
boardroom, Abuja on Wednesday.
He
also told the meeting that Let me heartily welcome you to this business meeting
and to thank the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria, (ATCON),
under the distinguished leadership of Engr. Titi Omo-Ettu, with the support of
his team, for this initiative.
He
said that the Commission considers the meeting as very vital, hence it strikes
at the very heart of NCC aspiration to continuously consult with the key
stakeholders in taking regulatory decisions and actions.
He
recalled that it is one of the key areas that we have indicated to focus on, in
the next few years.
“You
may be aware that we have taken various steps towards actualizing the broadband
dream,” he said, stressing that NCC has articulated a strategy for the
implementation of the Broadband Master Plan based on infrastructure sharing.
Additionally,
he said, NCC has developed a model based on ‘Open Access’ in which the role of
the Network Operator is distinct from those of the Service Providers.
Juwah
explained that under in this arrangement, the network provider offers access to
the service providers on a non-discriminatory basis in a competitively neutral
environment.
While
the service providers, alongside the corporations and institutions, as well as the
public are allowed to access services in line with their needs.
“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,” he
said.
So,
he said, NCC has 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,” Juwah said.
NCC,
EVC said, would soon embark on an industry-wide consultations on all issues
related to broadband plans for the country as he enjoined ATCON to participate
fully during the process.
He,
therefore solicited for collaboration and support of ATCON which has shown
commitment to the growth and development of the industry for the benefit of the
country and its citizenry.
Remmy Nweke
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
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