The Federal Government says it will soon provide a conduit masterpiece in every part of the country that will give future provider easier and cheaper installation of their services.
Prof. Isa Pantami, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, said this at the 4th Edition of Policy Implementation Assisted Forum(PIAFO) on Wednesday in Lagos.
Pantami said the idea tagged: National Dig Once Policy would enable future network providers install fiber by threading it through the existing conduit.
Pantami, in his address called: Laying the foundation for ubiquitous broadband for Nigeria’s economic breakthrough, said the policy would encourage infrastructure sharing among stakeholders.
The minister, who was represented by Engr Usman Ali, Deputy Director in the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC), said the “Dig Once” would discourage regular digging in the country.
The minister said that the synergy would promote seamless installation of fibre duct for effective broadband and reduce the barriers to Internet service providers.
According to him, Dig Once Policy promotes safety of citizens, reduces traffic congestion on the line and allows comprehensive planning.
The Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Prof Umar Danbatta also represented by Engr Usman Ali, said that NCC as the coordinating agency would ensure the policy was obeyed to the later.
Danbatta said that hopefully, by the end of the year, the policy would be unveiled.
Mr Olabode Ojo, Director, Fibre Operations, IHS Nigeria said that the policy would protect newly and recently paved roads and sidewalks and enhance the uniformity of construction.
He said that it would ensure efficient, non-duplicative placement of infrastructure in the Public Right of Way.
Mr Chidi Ajuzie, Group Chief Operating Officer, WTES Project Limited, said the collaboration would develop an ecosystem of trust among providers.
According to Ajuzie, it will support digital inclusion initiative, internet speed increase, price per data unit decrease, and increase data traffic competition.
Mr Omobayo Azeez, Lead Executive, PIAFO said that the summit was necessary to boost Nigeria’s digital economy drive.
Azeez said that to achieve 70 per cent broadband penetration target by 2025 required an ecosystem of willing and united stakeholders.
Nigeria directs reversal of unilateral upward tariff adjustments
The Federal Government has directed affected Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to reverse the unilateral upward tariff adjustments.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), through a letter dated Oct. 12, gave the directive following media reports of unilateral implementation of the recently approved 10 per cent upward tariff adjustments.
The adjustments were for some voice and data services by the service providers on their networks.
NCC’s Director, Public Affairs, Dr Reuben Muoka, made this known in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.
Muoka said that the consideration for 10 per cent approval was in line with the mandates of the commission as provided by the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.
He also said that it was in line with other extant Regulations and Guidelines, as this was within the provisions of existing price floor and price cap as determined for the industry.
He said that the decision was taken after a critical and realistic review, analysis of the operational environment and the current business climate in Nigeria, as it affects all sectors of the economy.
“The tariff adjustment was proposed and provisionally approved by the management, pending the final approval of the Board of the Commission.
“However, in the end, it did not have the approval of the Board of the Commission. As a result, it is reversed,” he said.
He said that the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami, had maintained that his priority was to protect the citizens and ensure justice to all stakeholders involved.
He quoted the minister as saying: “As such, anything that will bring more hardship at this critical time will not be accepted.
“This was also why he obtained the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari for the suspension of the proposed 5 per cent excise duty, in order to maintain a conducive enabling environment for the telecom operators.
“Much as there is an increase in the cost of production, the provision of telecom services is still very profitable and it is necessary that the subscribers are not subjected to a hike in charges.”
In view of the above, he said the Commission would carry out further consultations with all industry stakeholders on the best approaches to protect and uphold the interest of both the consumers and the service providers.
“The commission will continue to entrench very transparent processes and procedures for rates determination in the industry.
“The process is usually carried out with wide industry consultation.
“It is through these processes that price floors and price caps for data and voice services are benchmarked, regularly reviewed, and determined from time to time.
“The commission will continue to abide by this time-tested process and international best practice to ensure efficient pricing mechanism for the telecommunications industry in Nigeria,” he said.
