The Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) has expressed its commitment to achieving 90 percent broadband penetration in the country by 2025. This announcement was made by the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta at the opening of the Talk-To-The-Regulator Forum in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
During his keynote address, Danbatta stated that the agency is working in line with the Nigeria National Broadband Plan (NNBP 2020 – 2025) to provide industry leadership and ensure the achievement of the set target. Currently, over 50 million Nigerians have access to the internet, with over 80 million having access to high-speed internet.
Furthermore, the NCC Boss disclosed that the agency will hit a broadband penetration rate well above 50 percent at the end of 2023 and commiserated with Bayelsa State on the flood disaster suffered in the year 2022.
Danbatta also highlighted some of the interventions and responses of the Commission, which includes facilitating the Roll-Out of 5G service provision and introduction of the Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) License. The Commission is also presently reviewing the scope and structure of its existing licenses to support identified new industry trends and make them more substantial.
The Talk-To-The Regulator Forum is a platform for non-discriminatory interaction between licensees and the regulator on several industry issues, pertinent to the licensees and of national interest.
Through this initiative, the NCC seeks to improve regulations, accommodate fast and continuous industry developments, and create opportunities for stakeholders to engage with the regulator on industry issues.
