TheCable

Umar Danbatta, executive vice chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), says that the commission is willing to work with the federal government to achieve 70% broadband penetration in the next couple of years.

Speaking during an investment summit organised by the Kaduna state government, Danbatta said broadband penetration is currently at 33% up from 8.5% in 2015.

“When I was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, broadband penetration was only 8.5%,” he said.

“It has now risen to 33%, an equivalent of 63 million Nigerians enjoying the services.

“I am particularly thrilled y to see that the rising trend has not only been sustained, but the NCC is now ready to take it to the next level.”  

Danbatta said six infrastructure companies (Infracos) have been licensed by the NCC to drive the deployment of broadband infrastructure across the nation’s geopolitical zones.

He said Lagos state is a zone on its own due to the sheer size of its market.

He urged Fleek Network Limited, one of the six licensed Infracos for the north-west, to “quickly mobilise to site with a view to deploying broadband infrastructure in the region.”

According to him, the license for the north central region is currently being processed.