Broadband availability, penetration dear to NCC – Juwah

ATCON president, Omo-Ettu, EVC, NCC, Juuwah & Itanyi

The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Eugene Juwah, has declared that the broadband availability and penetration in the country is very dear to the Commission under his leadership.

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
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