Broadband service providers have identified ways through which Nigeria can increase broadband penetration by 2020.

They spoke at the Nigeria ICT Impact CEO Forum with the theme: “Broadband Access: National Scorecards and RoadMap to 2020” held in Lagos recently.

Engr.Abiodun Omoniyi, Managing Director/CEO, VDT Communications Limited, speaking on the topic, “Chances and Challenges of Broadband Development in the Rural Areas” emphasized the Importance of Broadband in National Growth and Development.

According to him, “A World Bank (Qiang et al. 2009) study involving120 developing and developed countries, shows that 10% increase in fixed broadband penetration would increase GDP growth by 1.21% in developed economies and 1.38% in developing ones.”

He said that the extent of urbanization in the country is still abysmally low, adding that about 51.4% or 99million of Nigeria’s population live in rural areas.

He noted that Nigeria is the 8th country in the world with highest number of internet users, 98 million from 93.6 achieved in 2017 with penetration level of 48.8% (in view the population of 191.8million). No other country in Africa can boast of this growth nor is among the top 20 globally.

He stated also that the current level of broadband penetration as put out by NCC in March 2018, was put at 22%, noting that with this level of growth being witnessed the 30% penetration target by 2018 may be a mirage.

In his words, “NCC has made renewed efforts towards meeting the 30% broadband penetration target set for this year.

“However, based on 4year [2015-2017] average growth rate of about 3%, achieving this target will be very difficult or impossible, increased licensing of MNO’s and infracos, notwithstanding.”

Engr. Ike Nnamani, CEO, Medallion Limited, speaking on the topic “the importance of interconnection in the telecom value chain”, said that Interconnection is the establishment of a physical communication link between two or more operators that allows subscribers on one network to have access to subscribers on the other networks.

He stated that interconnection is ideal for a multi-operator telecom market, to Promote Competition, makes future regulatory regime like number portability possible.

Leads to expansion of services to remote locations and ultimately leads to higher subscriber base, better quality Of life to citizens.

He added that Interconnection involves review of operating licenses and agreement to interconnect.

The establishment of physical links between switching centers – Microwave Radio, Fiber Optics, or Copper Cable. Testing of links and commercial operation.

He enumerated the Peer-to-Peer interconnect scheme advantages and disadvantages.

He said, “Originating networks in Nigeria see direct peer-to-peer connection as their least cost route.

“Instead of peer-to-peer being a premium route that attracts more charges, in Nigeria it is currently the least cost route hence operators prefer to use it instead of the Clearinghouses.

“Originating network see Clearinghouse as additional cost that should be avoided hence no economic incentive to pass calls through the Clearinghouses.

Funke Opeke, CEO, MainOne, represented by Temitope Osunrinde, Head of Communications, MainOne said that National Broadband Plan (2013-2018) has set a target of a five-fold increase (30% fixed broadband penetration) in broadband penetration by 2017.

She noted that the objectives of Plan were to promote pervasive broadband deployment; increase broadband adoption and usage. and ensure availability of broadband services at affordable prices.

She added that the new Nigerian ICT Roadmap seeks to develop Nigeria via focus on four pillars: Governance; Policy, Legal and regulatory Framework, Industry and Infrastructure and Capacity Building

She emphasized that broadband in Nigeria has come a long way from the 340 GB total capacity of SAT 3 single international submarine cable system in 2001, to about 11TB (with capacity for 19TB), provided by 5 subsea operators today.

Competition and regulatory initiatives have also further increased penetration, Opeke, stated.

According to her, broadband and internet have been globally acknowledged and inextricably linked as the foundation for a sustainable economy and an enabler for sustainable development for wealth optimization, Job Creation and revenue increase.

Mr. Tayo Adewusi, founder, ICT Watch Network, the organiser’s the ICT Watch forum said that ICT Infrastructure, especially connectivity, plays critical role in driving sustainable growth and prosperity.

He noted that ICT infrastructure investments in the areas of broadband, datacenters, cloud, Big data and Internet of things (IOT), adding that this critical infrastructural facility takes the greatest percentage of investment and that its part of the inhibitions to having a good broadband access which must be reliable, accessible, affordable and available.

He added that ICT Infrastructure can positively reinforce chain reaction that will lead to digital transformation, with cloud as a catalyst for that reaction.

According to him, “a large and growing proportion of internet usage takes place via mobile devices (on average, an estimated half of all web traffic) with many people now accessing the internet exclusively via a mobile device.

He emphasized that mobile network have brought voice and internet services to billions of people around the globe over the last 25 years and that technology is now accessible to nearly 50% of the world’s population and100 million people in Nigeria, adding that the most cost efficient way to bring more people online is to leverage existing mobile network infrastructure.

Speaking earlier, Bayo Adekanmbi, MTN Transformation Officer, Representing Mr. Ferdinand Moolman, CEO, MTN Nigeria said that the world has moved from using telephones for simple voice calls to include data transfer, video conferencing, e-mail, instant messaging and internet browsing, amongst others.

Adekanmbi, who spoke on the topic: “5G: Delivering high quality voice and data services for 2020 and beyond” said that beyond the primary role of communication, mobile networks give people access to support and connections that has transformed every area of their lives, from health to financial services and transportation.

He stated that while the telecommunications sector has grown significantly in Nigeria, it is inhibited by a number of factors.

“Like funding, inadequate infrastructure and some bureaucracy in the approval of right of way.

“The vandalism of existing facilities, theft and multiple taxation by government agencies.

“Lack of infrastructure especially electricity, increases the cost of doing business, which in turn limits the availability of funds for expansion efforts.”

He noted that 5G network infrastructure will be a key asset that would support societal transformation, leading to the fourth industrial revolution impacting multiple sectors.

According to him, “recent estimates posit that the 5G value chain itself could support as many as 22 million jobs worldwide.

“The total contribution of 5G to real global GDP from 2020 to 2035 is expected to be around $3 trillion: equivalent to an economy the size of India.

“5G is not just another network. It will form the basis of an ecosystem of financial and socio-economic sensors; blurring geographic and operational borders beyond anything we have ever seen. The possibilities are endless,” he said.

Mr. Olusola Teniola, President, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) speaking at the event urged Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to fill the gap in the regulation of data-centric digitalization of the telecommunications landscape as well as various interpretations of control and monitoring of telecoms infrastructure viz-a-vie states’ created agencies.

He said that the road to 2020 in respect of Regulation, Standards and Open Source in the Nigerian Telecomm ICT Industry depends principally on the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) and Nigeria Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the key stakeholders that operate within that space.

He added that Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has done a lot of developmental works in the area of regulation and standards but noted that there are still gaps that NCC needs to fill.

Teniola noted that National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is doing its best to ensure that standards are kept in specific segments that relates to IT and software development and procurement.

He stated that resultant effects of good regulations and standards would lead to further investments in the ICT sector, improve local content as per youths’ contribution to our national growth, increase in FDI in a structured manner.

“If both the regulators and the industry players can work-out standards and regulations that are not detrimental to growth, the Nigerian Telecom and ICT Sector would become a friendly destination for huge further investment and this would lead to more revenue for government and job creation for the teeming Nigerian youths.

“There is a definite need for Nigeria to adopt an Open Data Access (ODA) standards to facilitate interoperability across different sectors addressing financial inclusion, Health, Smart State initiatives, e-Governance and the 4th Industry revolution (Industry 4.0.).

“The importance of good regulations and improved standards is a critical factor in growing and sustaining the success of ODA and other emerging technologies such as Big Data, AI, Machine Learning and Robotics that the industry needs to prepare for as it is subjected to the natural forces of demand and supply,” he said.

Femi Adeoti, Managing Director/CEO Africa Operations, Inlaks Limited, represented by Oladimeji Koyejo, Director, Innovations and Managed Services, speaking on the topic, “Financial Inclusion in Nigeria: Prospects, Players and Challenges” said that Just about 40% of Nigerian Adults have bank accounts.

He stated that with an adult Population of 96.4million, about 40.1million adults are financially excluded.

According to him, Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access (EFInA) defined Financial Inclusion as, “the provision of a broad range of high quality financial products, such as savings, credit, insurance, payments and pensions.

“These solutions must be relevant, appropriate and affordable for the entire adult population, especially the low income segment”

He noted that financial exclusion has manifested prominently in Nigeria with the bulk of the money in the economy staying outside the banking system.

He said “financial institutions (Including the mobile money operators) do not have sufficient market intelligence that can create access to the underbanked and unbanked population.

“For instance In Lagos, many of them do not know that there are 442 registered markets with potential of mobilising over #30 Billion deposit (Turnover0 within 9 months).

“The most appropriate channel for the underbanked and unbanked population is the combination of their trusted traditional method.

“Financial inclusion therefore is about getting more People included and it is something that i am committed to, My Organisation is committed to and I hope you are too,” he added.