Telecom
Addressing The Urban/Rural ICT Divide

ITU is about to publish its updated ICT database shortly. The headline figures of 3.2 billion people online / 4.2 billion people offline are well-known, highlighting the substantial international digital divide.
Another important issue within countries is the rural/urban digital divide, the domestic digital divide most often referred to, in addition to the gender digital divide or differences in Internet access between different communities or minorities.
I recently had the pleasure of addressing the Commonwealth Telecommunication Organization (CTO) ICT Ministers Forum 2016 on this vital topic.
This Forum, the second hosted by CTO, benefitted from the presence of Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Heads of regulatory agencies of 20 countries, over 130 delegates and a range of industry partners including Inmarsat, Avanti, Huawei, BT and Facebook.
The Forum debated a broad spectrum of far-ranging and topical subjects including ICT regulation, universal service, broadband strategies, cybersecurity and Internet governance.
Why does the rural/urban digital divide arise? Evidence suggests that it comes about as the result of a complex interplay of factors on both the supply and the demand side (“The State of Broadband 2015” report).
On the demand side, lack of purchasing power, literacy and socio-cultural factors can all play a role in hampering demand for telephony or Internet services, as well as lack of relevant content in local or indigenous languages.
On the supply side, the market structure, population density, network coverage and local business models can all contribute to making telecommunication services unavailable or unreliable.
A report prepared for ITU last year by the consultancy Analysys Mason explores the cost behavior involved in extending networks nationwide in TFYR of Macedonia, and found that the cost of coverage rises sharply after around 40% household coverage with fibre (roughly corresponding to Macedonia TFYR’s urban population of around 57%), making it commercially infeasible to extend coverage of FTTH and FTTC much beyond 44% of households for that country. In countries with higher urban populations, the proportion of households which are commercially feasible to cover is likely to be higher.
So what’s to be done about the urban/rural divide? Many of the conditions for an ‘enabling environment’ are by now well-known, although a challenging range of different regulatory environments exist in different countries.
164 ITU Member States have now established an ICT regulator, and a higher number have introduced competition in the mobile market.
Best practice guidelines for telecom regulators are published regularly each year at ITU’sGlobal Symposium for Regulators (GSR)event, but broadly speaking, regulators should engage in regular consultations and benchmarking, with an open approach and the encouragement of new technologies (such as VoIP), and work with the industry and other major stakeholders to resolve potential issues quickly as they arise (on topics such as roaming fees, OTTs, FDI, interconnection, taxation, depending on the country and/or region).
With regards to universal service, a range of different policy options are also available, including legal requirements,Universal Service Obligations, license conditions and or Universal Service Funds (USFs).
It can also be helpful to include universal service for remote and rural areas in the National Broadband Plan.
The figure below shows the range of different options available to ITU Member States, according to a recent survey undertaken by the BDT.
For the CTO, nearly half (26 countries or 49%) of all Commonwealth countries have an operational USF.
A slightly higher proportion (31 countries or 59%) of all Commonwealth countries have included broadband in their definition of Universal Access or Service.
Despite these well recognized policy frameworks, the urban/rural digital divide persists and is becoming more evident.
This is a critical area that needs to be addressed if we are to achieve the 2030 development agenda, as without connecting the 4 billion people currently unconnected it will in impossible to implement the 17 SDGs.
Many organisations are working to bridge this gap, including CTO and ITU.
But more needs to be done to collaborate, pool resources and avoid duplication. This is itself a huge challenge.
Thanks to the close relationship that exists between CTO and ITU, our two organisations can continue to work together to help bridge this gap.
Malcolm Johnson (@ITU_DSG) was elected ITU Deputy Secretary General at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2014 in Busan, Republic of Korea. Mr. Johnson was elected as Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Standardization Bureau at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in 2006 in Antalya, Turkey and was re-elected at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2010 in Guadalajara, Mexico
Telecom
NCC Orders Telcos Inform Subscribers of Data Breach within 48 Hours

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has directed telecom operators in the country to notify affected customers of any data breach within 48 hours ( that is two day) of detecting such unauthorised infringement.

This directive was contained in the revised Internet Code of Practice 2026 by the NCC, on Friday.
The document seeks to define the rights and obligations of telecom operators in handing the rights of internet users to an open internet.
In the move to protect customer information, Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are to take necessary measures to protect customers’ data from unauthorised use, disclosure, access or breach.
Telecom operators must now notify affected customers within 48 hours of detecting a compromise through text message, email or any other effective means. As contained in Chapter 3.4 of the regulation titled “Data Breach Notifications,”
The telecoms companies are also directed to notify the NCC of such a breach not later than 48 hours after determining such a breach.
“Where full details of the breach are not immediately available, the provider shall issue a preliminary notification within the same period and furnish a comprehensive update within Fourteen (14) days thereafter, or within such extended period as the Commission may approve,” part of the section reads.
The guidelines, according to NCC, are in tandem with the provisions contained in the Nigerian Data Protection Act 2023 and Part VI of Schedule 1 of the Consumer Code of Practice Regulations 2024.
The regulation also joins other agencies’ policies, ensuring protection. Agencies such as the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) protect consumers against misuse of personal data, identity theft, financial loss, and reputation damage.
The review comes at a time when privacy becomes core amid frequent breaches and illegal harvest of data such as biometric, national IDs, financial information, traffic and usage, and others.
Regulations are necessary for the proper handling, consent, and regulatory compliance regarding sensitive data, ensuring it is only processed for legitimate purposes.
Under Chapter 3.5, the Internet Code of Practice 2026 addressed the handling of harvesting of transactional data by notifying and getting approval from the NCC of any usage by a third party. It noted that the NCC approval will be defined by a review and assessment of such access and “its potential effects on national considerations, consumer information and personal data.”
Telecom
Globacom Promotes Valentine Gifting with Huge Discounts on Smartphones

Globacom has announced a Valentine Smartphone promotion, which provides incredible savings on a variety of high-end smartphones from top manufacturers including Tecno, Samsung, and Infinix.

Starting on February 9, the promotion provides substantial price reductions on a number of Samsung models, including the Galaxy Z Fold 7, Galaxy A07, Galaxy A56 5G, Galaxy A36 5G, and Galaxy A26 5G. Customers who buy any of the phones will also receive a complimentary travel pouch and charger, as well as up to 18GB of extra data for six months, only available on the Glo network.
Along with other Infinix models, Tecno devices are also offered at attractive discounts, giving customers a large range of smartphones to fit a variety of tastes and price ranges.
The goal of the Glo Valentine promotion is to provide customers with the best possible deals on carefully chosen smartphones that are renowned for their cutting-edge technology, stylish designs, and dependable performance. The offer, which includes alternatives to suit a range of budgets and lifestyles, reaffirms Globacom’s dedication to customer happiness, digital adoption, greater data usage, and client centricity.
The company revealed that the promotion aligned with customers’ expectations during celebratory seasons, when demand is highest for quality smartphones at affordable prices. The company added that its partnership with trusted global and regional brands such as Samsung, Infinix, and Tecno ensures that customers enjoy premium features without compromising on value.
“The Valentine season is about connection, and what better way to stay connected than with a smartphone that fits your needs and aspirations,” the company stated. “This promo gives our customers the chance to get their dream smartphones at some of the best prices of the year, along with generous data bonuses to keep them connected,” the company disclosed.
Customers are encouraged to visit Gloworld outlets nationwide to take advantage of the Valentine Smartphone Promo while stocks last.
Telecom
GBB Expands Broadband to 13 Underserved Communities In 2025

Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB) has recorded a significant milestone in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey by advancing broadband connectivity to 13 underserved institutions and communities nationwide in 2025, reinforcing its position as the nation’s digital backbone and a trusted partner in national development.

Guided by its mandate to enable a digitally inclusive Nigeria, GBB deliberately extended connectivity to locations within reach of its infrastructure footprint, particularly institutions with strong potential for productive use but limited readiness for immediate commercial engagement. Through this effort, the organisation continues to unlock opportunity, stimulate innovation, and support sustainable growth across critical sectors of the economy.
The expansion reached three Federal Universities, two Local Government Areas, and eight Federal Secretariats, strengthening digital capabilities in education and public administration while enhancing service delivery across the country.
GBB also extended reliable broadband connectivity to strategic and cultural landmarks such as the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, underscoring its commitment to supporting national infrastructure that drives economic activity, mobility, and global connectivity.
These deployments highlight Galaxy Backbone’s resolve to bridge the digital divide and empower institutions that shape Nigeria’s future. They demonstrate the measurable national impact of GBB’s infrastructure investments and reflect the tangible progress of the Integrated Digital Transformation Strategy (IDTS), further solidifying the organisation’s role as the platform upon which government institutions and communities can confidently build their digital future.
More importantly, the milestone illustrates that GBB’s work extends beyond technology by enabling education, improving governance, supporting economic participation, and connecting citizens to opportunity.
The initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s broadband penetration objectives and complements national programmes such as Project 774 – Universities’ Hostel Connectivity, ensuring coordinated, scalable, and sustainable impact across the country. Commenting on the achievement, Galaxy Backbone noted that every new connection brings Nigeria closer to a more inclusive digital economy while reinforcing the infrastructure required for innovation and national competitiveness.
As implementation continues, GBB remains committed to expanding access, pushing boundaries, and delivering on the promise of a fully digital nation, with further updates expected as additional phases of the deployment progress.
Galaxy Backbone Limited is the Federal Government’s digital infrastructure and shared services provider, dedicated to delivering secure, reliable, and scalable ICT solutions that support efficient governance, innovation, and sustainable national development.
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