Hasten development of broadband
Apr 8th, 2010 | By admin | Category: Blogosphere News, ICT NewsBy Ejiro Gegere Culled From 234 NEXT
Following last month’s International Telecommunication Union (ITU) report that broadband network will facilitate the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), Nigerian experts are canvassing for the quick deployment of broadband in Nigeria so that it is in tune with current developments.
The report said that in this 21st century, “the social and economic development of every country on earth will depend on broadband.”
In an interview, Lanre Ajayi, president of the Nigerian Internet Group (NIG) said “We have always been saying that broadband network is a driver of all sectors, it makes all the sectors to be more efficient and productive. From education, transportation, energy, health etc.
“So, broadband is a catalyst for all the sectors so it goes with further proof it will enhance the quick delivery of MDGs,” in terms of better service delivery to the people.
Nigeria’s challenges
Based on infrastructure challenges in Nigeria, experts say the federal government needs to make the provision of infrastructure for broadband services a priority .
“When you look at the power supply situation in the country it is terrible and that sector is a very important necessity for businesses to operate. So investing more in the power sector will also boast the Nigerian economy,” Mr. Ajayi argued.
“Broadband delivery benefits cut across all aspect of the society. This is why government should set this as a priority in order to deliver to improve the lives of Nigerians,” added Mr. Ajayi.
However, Mr. Ajayi noted, “Even with the challenges in the country, this is not to say that without broadband the MDG goals cannot be achieved, we are only saying that this would enhance it possibility of meeting the goals. Luckily, we all know that broadband deployment will soon improve in the country with the coming of Glo-1, Main One Cable and West African Cable System (WACS).”
Broadband development
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the IT and telecoms industry regulator, argues that development in the sector is the responsibility of operators as the commission has provided the enabling environment for companies to invest in broadband.
In a telephone interview, Bashir Gwandu, an executive commissioner of the commission said, “What the commission is doing now on broadband is encouraging the deployment of optic fibre cables through the Wire Nigeria initiative.
“We are also giving out additional licences to cross border for people to develop fibre cross our borders. We will also give licences to companies that will bring in undersea cables. We are trying to equally look at how people can buy bandwidth within the country that will also be effective on the transmission cost.”
Regarding the telecommunications union’s report, Mr. Gwandu said, “Of course there are so many ways to determine which broadband will improve the economy, like poverty reduction.
“In the telecom sector, when networks are deployed in a particular location that location will experience economic growth, as not only will it reduce poverty, it will improve their education, health, and provide other basic amenities. Once you have easy access to the Internet that means you can have access to books, healthcare among others.”
