Broadband to increase from 6% to 30% by 2018 - NCC

In a bid To increase broadband penetration rate from the current 6% to 30% by 2018, The Nigerian Communications Commissions says there is need to encourage massive infrastructure build out to stimulate seamless broadband penetration in order to drive technology innovations and overall productivity of the economy.

The Executive Vice Chairman of the Commissions, Garba Dambatta, stated this in Abuja at the stakeholders forum on the Consultancy Study on the Determination of Cost Based Pricing of Fixed Transmission Services in the Nigerian Telecommunication Industry.

Dambatta said that the report by the International Telecommunication Union(ITU) in May 2014 indicated that broadband penetration rate in the country is low and stood at 6% and 10% respectively for 2014 and 2015.

He noted that the study is targeted at resolving the discriminatory and arbitrary pricing of transmission leased lines, noting that its key objective is to develop a comprehensive cost model using data collated from operators in the transmission cable market; drawing inferences on the cost of providing transmission services in Nigeria as well as the transparency and competitiveness of pricing in the transmission markets.

"One of the key thrust of my eight point agenda which was recently unveiled at my maiden international press conference is to provide and optimize access to and use of affordable fixed and mobile broadband everywhere in Nigeria".

The Executive Vice Chairman also said that the consultancy study on the determination of the cost-based pricing of fixed transmission services will be set the pace for effective competition in the wholesale leased lines/transmission capacity market in the telecommunications industry.