Telecom
Spectranet Looks to Deepen Fixed Broadband Penetration in Nigeria – Awasthi
Ajay Awasthi is the chief executive officer of Spectranet Nigeria. He spoke on the efforts of the Internet Service Provider in deepening broadband penetration in Nigeria.
As a major player in Nigeria’s Fixed Broadband segment, through your fiber optic based Fixed Broadband service offering, how will you describe the pace of Nigeria’s broadband penetration and its impact on digital infrastructure?
Fixed Broadband penetration in Nigeria is at abysmally low levels currently at about 0.1%. This pales in comparison to overall broadband ( including mobile broadband) penetration which, as per the latest figures by NCC, is at 42.27 %.
Just to put these figures in the right perspective, the worldwide Fixed Broadband penetration in 2021(as per Statista) is 16.7% with Europe leading the table with 34.7% penetration.
Fixed Broadband services have the capability to deliver extremely cost effective, high quality and high-speed access to internet. It can play a significant role in overall development of world class digital infrastructure in the country.
It’s quite clear that there is a lot of ground to be covered to increase Fixed Broadband penetration to even half of the worldwide penetration level. Being the foremost ISP in Nigeria, Spectranet is keen to lead the effort to increase the FBB penetration to the next levels within the next 2-3 years.
Spectranet as a pioneer in launching 4G LTE services in Nigeria. What was the trigger for launching Fiber based Fixed Broadband services?
Culturally, we are an extremely data analytics and insight driven company with a deep sense of commitment towards proactively serving the needs of customers. Be it being the first to recognize the changing trends in data consumption and offering relevant products or anticipating and eliminating the causes of their pain points.
Post COVID, we have been keenly observing the key shifts in usage behaviour of our customers. A post COVID data user wants high speed internet access with low latency, high level of consistency with 99.99% up time.
All this at extremely affordable prices to watch movies on OTT platforms, play games or use video conferencing! We understood that these fast- evolving trends can be effectively addressed with a superior price-value proposition, through Fixed Broadband technologies.
This is what triggered our entry into Fixed Broadband and we are extremely pleased with the response we have been getting in the market in the cities of Lagos and Abuja. We will soon be entering into other markets too.
How is Spectranet going to differentiate its Fixed Broadband services once the 5G services are rolled out in Nigeria.
The telecom regulator NCC has done a commendable job by auctioning 5G Spectrum way ahead of many other countries. As per report the 5G services should get launched in the next 2-3 months times, though in a limited manner.
For a comprehensive 5 G launch, in order to realize the full benefits like high speed data, low latency, IOT, it’s critical to have an omnipresent network interconnected through a robust optic fiber network- connecting various towers and then for backhauling of the data to the network core and further.
All this infrastructure is at a miniscule level at this point of time and would certainly take a couple of years to be fully on-ground.
Having said that, Fixed Broadband and 5G technologies by no means are competing technologies. These will actually complement each other. Advanced technologies in fixed Broadband like XGS-PON are capable of delivering upstream and downstream speeds of10Gbps,way above 5 G speeds and at low latency levels.
Both the technologies will co-exist, serving different needs of the customers while on the move or working inside an office/home.
Fixed Broadband roll out is generally known to be slow paced due to associated challenges on account of securing right-of-way, trenching work and laying of cables. How is Spectranet managing rollout of FBB services? .
At Spectranet, we fully well understand the on-ground challenges and have been addressing these by deploying multiple technologies – HomeFibre ( FTTx) and FibreOnAir ( WTTx).
The latter is used in dense areas and helps in expediting roll outs of FBB. By this dual technology approach, we are able to deliver high quality internet services at a rapid pace.
What are your greatest challenges in offering FTTx services and how best could the challenges be addressed?
Nigeria has made rapid strides in mobile broadband penetration, with the regulator NCC playing a key role in proactively driving this through relevant policy interventions. However, the story is completely different in Fixed Broadband space.
This industry is completely bogged down by the lack of unified and robust policy framework for granting right-of-way (ROW) and charges the operator needs to pay for laying optic fiber cables.
Different states have different approaches to these which effectively thwart quicker rollouts. Further Non-availability of affordable/ reliable metro and national optic fiber networks also poses a key constraint on offering high quality Fixed Broadband services.
Given the criticality of FBB in delivering high quality and affordable services to the homes, SMEs/MSMEs, a unified, nationwide policy can help unleash the potential of this sector.
Over the last 3-4 years after MNOs launched their 4G services, we have witnessed intense Data price wars and a significant reduction in Data prices. How is Spectranet defending itself?
This will need a bit of explaining to set the context right. In Nigeria the regulator has fixed a floor price for Voice calls and the operators cannot charge less than the floor price.
This wise move by the regulator has ensured that no operator indulges in predatory pricing hurting the profitability of the industry which is so critical to the creation of a digital economy.
Strikingly, there is no floor price yet fixed for Data prices and that is leading to an imbalance in the industry, favouring the bigger players. While the MNOs are using their floor price protected voice revenues to cross subsidize and slash data prices, ISPs like us are forced to drop prices to unsustainable levels in order to defend themselves.
Let’s be clear that ISPs are defending the indefensible if the regulator doesn’t intervene immediately and set a floor price for data to curb predatory pricing.
Isn’t a price war good from the customers’ view point?
I have said this earlier also and my views remain consistent.
War of any kind is destructive by nature. A price war is no exception. It is a short- sighted ploy to gain market share. In the near term, it may be touted as a “customer friendly “move but over a period of time a price war results in significant destruction of value for the industry, forcing the players to degrade quality of services.
A price war is not sustainable in the longer term and a lose-lose proposition for both the operators and the customers. The hapless customers finally end up at the receiving end and are made to suffer through poor quality of services.
At Spectranet, we stay committed to provide high-quality, high-speed broadband to our customers. We believe in delivering a superior customer experience through better understanding of their needs and through differentiated tariff plans backed by excellent customer service.
Spectranet is known for its superior customer service. What is your approach to customer service?
At Spectranet, we deeply acknowledge the fact that customer service is not just limited to putting up a call center but goes much beyond and that CS can be a powerful source of differentiation in the market place.
Customer service to us is not a reactive action but an organization wide mindset which gets embedded into all aspects of the business.
Secondly, we constantly remind ourselves that Customer Churn is just one bad experience away. We call such bad experiences “customer pain points” and assiduously work on getting down to the causative factors and addressing these.
Proactive customer service (anticipating customers’ needs and pain points) is like a religion at Spectranet. The focus always is on eliminating these pain points or bad experiences by staying ahead of the causative factors.
Another critical factor is the design of Customer Service Delivery (CSD) organization and the hierarchical distance from the front-end Customer Service Executive to the CEO.
At Spectranet we have managed to keep just two layers between CSE and CEO and that helps significantly in staying tuned to customers’ requirements in a proactive manner.
Telecom operators are itching to increase the cost of voice call, SMS and data services by 40 per cent. Are Internet Service Providers (ISPs) like Spectranet also thinking of a price hike in the cost of internet services?
Across all the industries the cost of doing business has seen a significant increase over the past few quarters. The cost of running the towers being a significant cost, the recent hike in the price of diesel has further exerted pressure on the bottom line.
As an industry, telecom has held the prices virtually constant over the last few years. In order to continue providing high quality services to our customers and continue to create direct and indirect employment to thousands of people, it’s imperative that survival of the industry is ensured through a price hike mitigating the impact of ballooning costs.
Nigeria has witnessed the landing of several submarine broadband cables in Lagos, with more still coming. How will these help Spectranet to offer better internet services to its customers?
It’s an extremely happy development, to say the least. Some of these companies are not only coming with landing station for their under-sea cables but also data centers.
Combination of these will help reduce costs of transiting traffic to the rest of the world but also bring in qualitative improvement by reducing latency.
We are hoping that more such players will also enter to provide intra-national lease line connectivity which still a major point of concern in terms of reliability and high costs. Just to substantiate, the cost of carrying data traffic from Abuja to Lagos is more than 3X the cost of carrying it from Lagos to USA!
what safety measures have Spectranet put in place to ensure security from Cyber attacks?
With more and more digitalization happening, the vulnerability to cyber attacks has increased for sure. Cyber Security threats caused by DDoS, Malware, Emotet etc. are quite common these days.
As an operator we take cyber security very seriously and have deployed sophisticated equipment to thwart and neutralize these threats. There are multiple layers of cyber security comprising latest generation of Firewalls and Intrusion Prevention systems which effectively neutralize such threats.
TD Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa’s leading technology distributor, has once again raised the bar for the continent’s digital transformation journey by attaining the ISO 42001 (Artificial Intelligence Management Systems) and ISO 27701 (Privacy Information Management Systems) certifications.
These globally recognized certifications, which set the highest benchmarks for responsible AI deployment and data privacy, position TD Africa as a pioneer in preparing Africa for an AI-powered future.
Speaking on the milestone, Mrs. Chioma Ekeh, CEO of TD Africa, stated: “These certifications are not just badges of compliance; they reflect our deep commitment to building Africa’s digital resilience with trust, governance, and accountability at the core. At TD Africa, we believe Africa must not remain a passive consumer of global innovation but must actively shape and co-create solutions that reflect our unique realities. From financial inclusion to agriculture, healthcare, and digital governance, AI presents limitless opportunities—our role is to ensure Africa is prepared to harness them responsibly.”
ISO 42001 provides the world’s first governance framework for the ethical and transparent deployment of artificial intelligence, ensuring solutions align with human values and global best practices. On the other hand, ISO 27701 guarantees that TD Africa manages personal data with unmatched integrity and security. This is an essential pillar in a time where data privacy is increasingly under threat.
For nearly three decades, TD Africa has anticipated and shaped the future of technology on the continent, not by chasing trends, but by building enduring structures. Beyond its certifications, the company has invested in world-class infrastructure, resilient distribution systems across 47 African countries, and a thriving technology ecosystem. Its TecHerdemy program has empowered over 400 women in technology, further cementing its position as a catalyst for inclusive digital growth.
With trusted partnerships with global technology leaders, TD Africa has consistently delivered on its promise to bridge global innovation with African realities. The attainment of these ISO certifications reinforces its ability to responsibly distribute and support advanced AI technologies across its vast network of resellers.
As the world prepares for the dawn of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) with breakthroughs such as GPT-5, TD Africa is ensuring that Africa is not left behind. The certifications demonstrate the company’s readiness to give Africa not just access to innovation, but the muscle, discipline, and confidence to use it sustainably.
“This achievement is not just about TD Africa,” Mrs. Ekeh added. “It is a milestone for Africa. The global AI conversation cannot be left to Silicon Valley or Beijing alone. Lagos, Nairobi, Accra, Kigali, and Johannesburg must also have a strong voice. And TD Africa is proud to amplify that voice. We are no longer waiting for tomorrow to happen; we are preparing tomorrow, today.”
With this bold move, TD Africa has reaffirmed its legacy of leadership in technology distribution, while signaling a new era where Africa plays a decisive role in the global digital renaissance.
If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s this: life today runs on data. From morning Instagram scrolls to Zoom classes and late-night Netflix binges, we’re constantly plugged in, streaming, scrolling, and sharing. But if you’ve ever wondered, “Why does my data finish so fast?” or seen that dreaded low-balance pop-up just when you need it most, you’re not alone.
At MTN’s Customer Engagement Day 2025, Ugonwa Nwoye, MTN’s Chief Customer Relations and Experience Officer, addressed this reality in a way that felt both practical and deeply relatable. She spoke about how essential data has become, calling it the lifeblood of modern living. “If you don’t have data in today’s world, you feel cut off. Isolated. That’s how important connectivity is,” she said, capturing how many of us feel when we’re disconnected even for a moment.
Her words struck a chord, especially as she shared candidly about her own experiences. She reminded everyone that many apps continue to run in the background, consuming data without our knowledge, and how video-heavy habits, such as endless TikTok reels or video calls, can quickly drain data bundles.
But the heart of Ugonwa’s message wasn’t just about the challenges; it was about empowerment. She emphasised that MTN’s goal is not simply to sell data but to help customers use it better. She explained how MTN is equipping people with the tools they already have on their phones to track usage, teaching simple ways to control consumption and sharing practical tips for managing apps more effectively. “We’re not just telling you your data is finished,” she said. “We want you to know how it was used and how to make it last longer. It’s about giving you control.”
What stood out most was her willingness to listen. Throughout the session, she engaged directly with real complaints and questions from the audience, from why smaller bundles seem to finish faster, to teachers who spend entire days on Zoom, to concerns about coverage in certain areas. Ugonwa addressed each one, acknowledging frustrations and committing to follow up. “We hear you. From data issues to service gaps, we’re taking notes and acting. Your hustle is important to us, and our job is to enable it,” she reassured the room.
Her approach made it clear that MTN isn’t shying away from customer concerns but leaning into them. In a world where data has become as necessary as food and water, Ugonwa’s session felt like a much-needed reminder that while technology connects us, what really matters is how well it serves the people who rely on it every day. As she closed, the message was simple but powerful: MTN sees you, it hears you, and it is working to make sure your digital life is not just connected but smarter and more empowering.
Paradigm Initiative is organising a capacity-building workshop to empower government prosecutors to prosecute cases committed through or facilitated by digital technologies, specifically examining new Artificial Intelligence (AI) trends in alignment with constitutional provisions and international human rights standards.
The two-day workshop in Abuja, Nigeria, is being held under the theme, “Prosecution in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.” It is organised by Paradigm Initiative with support of the Kingdom of the Netherlands under the Stemming the Tide of Abuse in Nigeria’s Digital Space (STANDS) Project. Drawing from new trends in the growing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital systems into public administration and criminal investigations, it aims to find a balance through deep examination and understanding of how these technologies function, the new risks they pose, and the necessary safeguards to ensure that citizens’ fundamental rights remain protected.
This workshop comes at a crucial time, as criminal procedure laws have yet to fully catch up with the realities of the digital age and the evolving ways in which offences are committed. Increasingly, digital platforms are weaponised against victims, violating their privacy and exposing them to harm. With emerging technologies, these threats are becoming more sophisticated, placing mounting pressure on prosecutors to deliver results.
Speaking at the workshop’s opening, Khadijah El-Usman, Paradigm Initiative’s Senior Programmes Officer for Anglophone West Africa and lead on the workshop, highlighted that failure to build this capacity now risks widening the gap between the speed of technological change and the legal system’s ability to respond. This could lead to ill-equipped prosecutors, unintended violations of rights during investigations, and a further loss of public trust in the justice system.
She added, “By investing in targeted training, we can ensure prosecutors are not only keeping pace with emerging threats but are also positioned to advocate for evolving laws in the space.”
In his remarks, the deputy ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Embassy to Nigeria, Robert Sonnemans, praised the way in which Nigeria is embracing the digital age and the opportunities that come with it. “Artificial intelligence is a clear example of both promise and risk, holding immense potential to strengthen investigations and improve access to justice, but also pressing questions on how to ensure fairness and prevent bias or misuse.
The Deputy Director, Department of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Barrister Ali Baba Rijaiu, urged participants to embrace the training, in his words, “the work we do shapes the trust of citizens in the justice system. If we rise to the demand of this digital age, we will not only defeat crime, we will also safeguard freedom and show that justice in Nigeria is not left behind by technology but strengthened by it.”
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