The Nigerian Communications Commission is set to collaborate with NigComSat in making available 400MHz of prime spectrum for Next Generation Network deployment in the near future.
This was disclosed by the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta who was represented by the Director, Digital Economy, NCC, Dr. Austine Nwaulune, at the ATCON Virtual Structured Engagement with Key Stakeholders in the Nigerian Telecom & IT Sector on the New Nigerian National Broadband Plan 2020-2025 held on Thursday 25th March, 2021.
He said that an equally important consolidation in the area of spectrum availability is the Commission’s finalization of the Spectrum Trading Guidelines.
“Some of the targets of the NNBP 2020-2025 include, achieving 15Mbps & 25Mbps internet speed in rural and urban areas respectively by 2025, interconnection of 90% of all LGA’s by fibre, 70% Population penetration, 100% of Tertiary Institutions to be within 5Km of a fibre PoA, 60% of all telecom towers to be connected by fibre, connection of 1 major hospital or General hospital per LGA via fibre, reduction of average cost of data to N390/Gb or less and establishment of at least one (1) local assembly or manufacture of smart devices, reduction of RoW to N145/m etc, Prof.  Garba said.
He reiterated that from the foregoing, it is obvious that Government, the industry and other stakeholders need to aggregate their potentials and expertise to achieve these targets.
“The NNBP 2020-2025 has raised the performance bar for the whole telecom industry, however being a document crafted by experts and executives, there is no reason why it cannot be achieved to put Nigeria in a firm pedestal of nations with broadband access.
He assured the stakeholders of the Commission continued proactive in providing the necessary regulatory interventions which will facilitate the achievement of not only the 70% broadband penetration target but other associated targets as well which will truly transform our economy into a Digital Economy.
