TheCable

The 25-man national broadband plan committee constituted by Isa Pantami, the minister of communications and digital economy, has submitted its report.

According to a statement received by TheCable, the committee submitted the draft report of the national broadband plan (2020-2025) to the minister on Tuesday.

The new plan (NBP 2020-2025) is a sequel to the first NBP 2013-2018.

Funke Opeke, chairman of the committee and chief executive officer of MainOne Cable, presented the report to the minister.

The committee is co-chaired by Bashir Gwandu, NCC’s former executive commissioner the technical services, while Ubale Maska, NCC’s executive commissioner for technical services is the committee’s secretary.

Umar Danbatta, NCC’s executive vice chairman, and other members of the committee were also present during the submission.

Pantami inaugurated the committee on December 16, 2019, to develop a new national broadband plan (2020-2025) which will serve as a guiding template for further development of the telecommunications sector.

According to the NCC, the 2013-2018 broadband plan which was designed to achieve at least 30% broadband penetration recorded 37.8% broadband coverage at its expiration.

At the inauguration of the committee, Pantami had urged members to review the old plan, examine its challenges and proffer solutions.

He also advised them to undertake the assignment in the context of growing and emerging technologies.

The new broadband plan, being developed with the support and collaboration of the UK government is expected to increase broadband penetration to 70% by 2025.