Concerned stakeholders in the telecommunications industry have given reasons why the government must not relent in its effort to keep increasing broadband penetration in the country.
Recently, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) revealed that the nation has achieved 30.9% broadband penetration as at the last quarter of 2018.
According to a news report, the Association of Licenced Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) claimed that the country needs to attain a 50% penetration in 2019 for the nation to be fully digitised. Aside from the needed additional 20% increase in 2019, Gbenga Adebayo, ALTON Chairman stated that a further increase of 30% in 2020 is pertinent as the telcos are expecting to roll out 5G network then.
It's on this note that concerned stakeholders in the telecoms industry are calling for a review of the broadband plan in a bid to set a higher penetration target.
NCC has made a commitment to have the National Broadband Plan reviewed. And as it is, the commission is likely to consider raising the current speed rate of 1.5megabyte per seconds to a value that's in line with local conditions.
The industry regulator would also re-examine its definition of broadband on the ground that the communications sector is a catalyst that will provide the needed infrastructure for other sectors of the economy to thrive.
