The Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, has stated that the NCC aims to achieve a broadband penetration rate of well above 50% by the end of 2023.
This means that more than half of Nigeria’s population will have access to broadband Internet services.
Additionally, the NCC has set a more ambitious target of achieving 90% broadband penetration by the year 2025. This demonstrates the regulator’s commitment to enhancing digital inclusion, supporting economic growth, and enabling various sectors to leverage the benefits of connectivity.
To achieve these goals, the NCC is actively working with internet service providers and other stakeholders to expand broadband infrastructure and services.
The Commission plays a crucial role in providing industry leadership, implementing policies, and initiating programs to bridge the digital divide and bring affordable and reliable broadband connectivity to more Nigerians.
During a forum held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State with licensees, the EVC acknowledged the rapid growth of technology in the telecom industry and the resulting high expectations from stakeholders.
To keep up with industry developments, the NCC has taken measures to improve regulations and adapt to continuous advancements.
Some of the interventions and responses of the Commission include facilitating the rollout of 5G services and introducing the Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) license to bridge the gap in underserved areas.
Furthermore, the NCC is currently reviewing the scope and structure of its existing licenses to accommodate new industry trends and make them more robust.
This is in line with the Nigeria National Broadband Plan (NNBP 2020-2025), which aims to achieve 90% broadband penetration by 2025 and well above 50% by the end of 2023.
Currently, over 150 million Nigerians have access to the internet, while more than 80 million can access high-speed internet.
These numbers demonstrate the progress made in expanding internet connectivity in the country, and the NCC’s efforts aim to increase these figures further
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