TheNewsGuru

Tag: Broadband

  • Nigeria losing $15bn annually to broadband gap – FibreOne

    Nigeria losing $15bn annually to broadband gap – FibreOne

    Fibre One, a broadband provider in Nigeria, has revealed that the significant broadband access gap is costing Nigeria an estimated $15 billion annually.

    The Chief Experience Officer of FibreOne, Yinka Isioye, said this during his keynote address at the 21st Titans of Tech Conference, Expo and Awards in Lagos on Friday evening.

    The theme of the event was “Game Changers: Shaping the Future of Technology.”

    Isioye emphasised the critical importance of broadband, describing it to be as important as oxygen and the foundational infrastructure for all digital ambitions, including education, healthcare, SMEs growth, fintech and smart cities.

    He lamented that despite its importance, over 60 per cent of Nigerians and over 70 per cent of Africans still lacked reliable broadband access, leaving millions excluded from vital opportunities.

    Highlighting the impact of inadequate connectivity on opportunities, he cited an example of how he missed a life-changing interview years ago due to poor internet access,

    “Our internet speeds are five to ten times slower, yet two to four times more costly per megabit per second.

    “According to the World Bank, every 10 per cent increase in broadband penetration yields 1.4 per cent GDP growth in developed countries

    “For Nigeria, achieving just 30 per cent additional penetration could unlock at least $19 billion more with a multiplier effect potentially boosting annual GDP growth by over $45 billion,” he said.

    Isioye warned that without improved broadband, over 45 million students in Nigeria risked being left behind, while telehealth would remain inaccessible for rural communities.

    He noted that Nigeria was losing billions in potential foreign exchange by not becoming a global outsourcing hub.

    Isioye stressed that the $15 billion annual cost of the broadband gap was nearly four times Nigeria’s combined health and education budgets, and equivalent to the federal allocations received by one of Nigeria’s 36 states every year.

    Isioye identified several key challenges hindering broadband expansion, including exorbitant fiber deployment costs ranging from $30,000 to $50,000 per kilometer in Nigeria.

    He attributed these high costs to expenses for civil works, right-of-way (RoW) fees, security and community levies and difficult terrain.

    Isioye also highlighted power instability, noting that 30 per cent to 40 per cent of operational expenditure for most providers went to diesel or other power sources.

    Furthermore, he noted that the low Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) – between $10 to $20 for Nigerian broadband users compared to $50 in advanced markets – significantly extended return on investment timelines, making the business case challenging.

    Despite these hurdles, Isioye lauded Internet Service Providers and Mobile Network Operators for their continued efforts in innovating, investing and expanding networks.

    He also commended the strategic moves made by the Nigerian government, including President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to a digital-first economy and the leadership of the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, in driving relevant policies.

    Isioye, however, called for concrete solutions to bridge the broadband gap.

    He suggested mobilising pension funds and local investors for long-term financing and promoting shared rural fiber consortia and MNO/ISP resource pooling, and enabling Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) for efficient rural broadband delivery.

    He also advocated for community-driven networks, public-private partnership WiFi zones and the scaling of solar-powered micro-base stations.

    Isioye also suggested broadband for job schemes, where the government could offer tax credits to ISPs providing discounted access to households with unemployed youth undergoing digital skills training.

    He reiterated FibreOne’s belief that broadband was more than just cables and signals, but “life-changing connectivity” empowering education, innovation, healthcare, and national progress.

    Also speaking at the event, the Convener of Titans of Tech Conference, Mr Pedro Aganbi, said that the theme of the event reflected its mission to spotlight the extraordinary individuals and institutions who were not just adapting to change, but driving it.

    Aganbi noted that it was also for those bold enough to rethink systems, build smarter solutions and inspire new ways of working and connecting.

  • Danbatta woos investors at GITEX Africa on Nigeria’s broadband future

    Danbatta woos investors at GITEX Africa on Nigeria’s broadband future

    The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, has invited international telecom companies and potential investors to take advantage of the opportunities presented by Nigeria’s population of over 200 million people to invest in its telecom sector, especially in infrastructure provisioning for broadband.

    Danbatta, who spoke at the inaugural edition of the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) 2023, which ended in Marrakesh, Morocco recently, said Nigeria presents a stable political and economic conditions.

    Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Morocco, Mansur Bamalli, also spoke in the same direction and commended the Commission for its regulatory prowess which has made Nigeria the next investment destination in Africa.

    Danbatta, who was represented at the conference by the Team Lead, Nigeria Office for Developing the Indigenous Telecom Sector (NODITS), Babagana Digima, said the Commission has a mandate to facilitate the development of the telecom industry in Nigeria, adding that one way through which this can be done is by attracting foreign investors that will further enhance the growth of the economy.

    He informed the global stakeholders at the event that the Nigerian government has been very supportive of the telecom industry which has achieved an upward growth with over 220 million active mobile voice subscriptions in Nigeria, over 150 million Internet subscriptions and broadband penetration of 48 per cent, the country is yet to be fully connected.

    “Our national plan is to achieve 70 per cent broadband penetration by 2025. We still have less than 50 per cent penetration. This means there is huge investment potential for investors. Nigeria’s telecom sector needs more investment in the area of infrastructure deployment,” the EVC stated.

    He stated that the telecom sector in Nigeria has become a major contributor to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), quarter-on-quarter, driving the growth of the digital economy in the country.

    “The importance of this event for us as a Commission is to showcase the NCC as a Nigerian brand, a foremost telecom regulator in Africa and beyond and to bring about the much-needed investment that will enhance development of the Nigerian telecom industry,” Danbatta said.

    The EVC stated that there is abundant talents in Nigeria that can be tapped by investors to support their business operations. “There is abundant human resources waiting to be harnessed by potential investors for ground-breaking global technological innovations and advancement in providing digital solutions.

    “This event provides us with the platform to showcase some of the talents that we have discovered in Nigeria. The Commission has sponsored three indigenous start-ups that are at this event to display their solutions for prospective investors and partnerships,” he said.

    The GITEX Africa 2023 was the maiden edition of the GITEX Global Summit held in Africa. It is poised to be Africa’s most influential forum to accentuate the vast potential of the tech-driven digital economy. It aims to be an international platform for cutting-edge technology for all players from both public and private sectors.

  • Spectrum auction will democratize broadband for Nigerians – Danbatta

    Spectrum auction will democratize broadband for Nigerians – Danbatta

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said the ongoing process to auction two additional lots in the 3.5GHz spectrum for Fifth Generation (5G) is part of efforts that will further democratise access to high-speed mobile broadband for all Nigerians.

    The Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, stated this in Lagos over the weekend while speaking at the 10th Annual Brands and Marketing Conference of the Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria (BJAN) where the NCC was conferred with the “Regulator of the Decade” Award.

    Represented by the Commission’s Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Adeleke Adewolu, the EVC noted that the ongoing process, for which arrangements are in top gear, followed the successful auctioning of two bands of the 3.5GHz spectrum in December of 2021.

    Danbatta disclosed that the Commission is currently reviewing the licences and frameworks for fixed broadband to update them in line with current challenges and make them more effective as part of the pivotal initiatives deployed by NCC that are already bearing fruits.

    The EVC was emphatic that the Commission, in pursuit of its mandate, has been relentless in creating the conducive atmosphere for the rollout and adoption of new technologies, and government has taken the firm position that the country must leverage digital technologies to grow the economy.

    As such, he said the development of policies such as the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) 2020-2030 and the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP) 2020-2025, which the NCC and other agencies and partners are assiduously implementing.

    Danbatta informed the participants at the conference that content creation and consumption have grown around the telecommunications infrastructure provided by technology, which Nigerian entertainers have leveraged to become global brands.

    “Due to heavy leverage on digital platforms, the Nigerian entertainment industry has gone global. Nollywood is one of the biggest movie industries in the world. In fact, more movies are produced by Nollywood yearly in comparison to Hollywood.

    “Nigerian music stars are in hot demand worldwide because of their popularity and brand recognition on social media. We should add that many of these global superstars emerging from Nigeria launched into stardom by leveraging Caller Tunes and other mobile content platforms to grow their brands and huge followers online,” the EVC stated.

    Increasing the intensity of his submission, Danbatta declared that “Digital platforms are fostering different types of systemic change, creating new brands, eroding the value of some brands, whilst at the same time increasing the value of other brands. The innovation-transformation-disruption cycle have come to stay and will be exacerbated as technology continues to evolve.”

    The EVC left the impressive audience with reasons to be hopeful when he said, “Let me assure you that the NCC will continue to aggressively drive the roll out and seamless operation of infrastructure to drive new digital technologies for the benefit of all sectors of our economy.

    “It is our hope that Nigerian brands will continue to leverage on robust infrastructure to grow their value and ensure that our country derives maximum benefit from unfolding digital transformation efforts.”

  • 22 institutions, MSMEs set to enjoy N16.7b broadband access projects

    22 institutions, MSMEs set to enjoy N16.7b broadband access projects

    More than 22 institutions in the country, comprising 18 universities, and six polytechnics, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), drawn evenly from the six geopolitical zones in the country, have benefited from a Federal Government’s broadband infrastructure projects designed to accelerate the Nigeria Digital Economy efforts.

    At the unveiling of the projects being driven by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which held at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami,  who presided over the event, said the projects underscores the importance of broadband connectivity and access as central to the accomplishment of the targets of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) 2020-2030 for a digital Nigeria, and that the project is in line with the mandates of President Muhammadu Buhari on job creation and economic diversification.

    Pantami, who was joined by the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Mohammed Bello at the event, disclosed that the key infrastructure being provided for the project, comprise of broadband infrastructure for tertiary institutions of learning; broadband infrastructure for MSME; distribution of 6,000 e-pad tablets, in addition to provision of broadband connectivity to 20 markets as a pilot.

    He said the interest in supporting the MSMEs is justified by their current contribution of more than half of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) prior to COVID-19 outbreak, and now constitute 96.7 per cent of entire businesses in the country, and therefore, “any effort to develop our economy without bringing such important sector into the equation will amount to efforts in futility.”

    At the event, which had in attendance the Chairman of the Board of the NCC, Prof. Adeolu Akande; the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta; the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abubakar Rasheed; and the Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof Idris Bugaje, a book authored by Pantami, titled “Skills Rather Than Just Degrees” with foreword written by Brad Smith, President of Microsoft Corporation, was unveiled for the industry.

    Pantami said the book is his intellectual contribution to bridging skills gap to enable Nigerians to tap into the opportunities that exist in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and other sectors of the economy.

    The book was reviewed by three different Vice Chancellors – Prof. Muhammad Abdulazeez of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi; Prof Owuanari Georgewill of University of Port Harcourt; and Prof. Sagir Adamu Abbas of Bayero University Kano, who commended the efforts of the Minister in putting his thoughts and experience to paper. They recommended the book, which they commended highly.

    In their comments, NCC’s Akande and Danbatta, corroborated that the project will fast-track and enhance the ongoing efforts of the NCC’s to deepen connectivity towards achieving the targeted broadband penetration of 70 per cent by 2025.

    NCC’s Chairman, Prof. Akande, assured of the commitment of the Commission in completing the projects, which will add the necessary fillip to achieving the major objectives spelt out in the NDEPS, 2020-2030.

    The EVC of NCC, Prof. Danbatta, highlighted the Commission’s drive towards deepening broadband penetration in the country and the promotion of digital skills acquisition to improve service delivery in other sectors of the economy, including education, commerce, healthcare, agriculture, finance, transportation, governance, among others.

    The event attracted so many stakeholders especially from the academia, as well as technology enthusiasts, including prospective start-up companies, fintech organisations and other interested sectors whose activities are billed to be energized through diligent implementation of the NDEPS and other extant policies guiding the digital economy agenda of the Nigerian government.

  • FG provides broadband infrastructure for 22 institutions, MSMEs

    FG provides broadband infrastructure for 22 institutions, MSMEs

    The Federal Government has launched the provision of broadband infrastructure in 22 higher academic institutions and for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the six geopolitical zones of the country.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the 22 institutions comprise of 18 universities and six polytechnics drawn evenly from the six geopolitical zones in the country.

    The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami, during the launch on Thursday in Abuja, said the initiative was aimed at boosting the economic drive of the current administration in various sectors.

    He said the project, which was to be implemented by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), was approved by the Federal Executive Council, after the presentation by the minister.

    He also said this was to accelerate broadband penetration in Nigeria and advance the course of digital economy projections for the nation.

    He said that digital connectivity and expanding access to information played key roles in enhancing the economy.

    According to him, the World Bank estimated that an increase in the digitally-connected people across the globe to 75 per cent.

    Pantami said: ”This will result in an addition of up to $2 trillion dollars per year to world GDP and a creation of about 140 million jobs.

    “Similarly, a report by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation states that 80 per cent of economic benefits in developing countries are as a result of the use of ICTs and digital skills.

    “While in developed countries, it is even higher at 90 per cent.”

    Pantami said that Nigeria had experienced the impact of the digital economy on other sectors of the economy.

    The minister added: “You will recall that the digital economy of Nigeria played a key role in stabilising and growing other sectors of our economy.

    “The ICT sector also enabled Nigeria to exit the recession triggered by COVID-19, a year earlier than predicted by experts.

    “In particular, the ICT sector grew by 14.70 per cent in the last quarter of 2020 and was the only sector that grew by double digits in this quarter and in the entire year 2020.”

    Pantami reiterated that digital connectivity, access, and skills were critical to human and economic development in both developed and developing countries.

    He listed the beneficiary tertiary institutions to include: University Of Lagos, College Of Education (Special), Ibadan, as well as Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

    Others were : University Of Nigeria, Nsukka, Federal Univeristy Of Technology, Owerri and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.

    The rest were: University Of Calabar, University Of Benin, University Of Port Harcourt, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Bayero University, Kano, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University, Katsina, Borno University, and ATBU, Bauchi.

    Others were:  Gombe University, Federal University Of Technology, Minna, University Of Ilorin and University Of Abuja.

  • Pantami kickstarts landmark broadband projects

    Pantami kickstarts landmark broadband projects

    Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, will on Thursday, November 24, 2022, in Abuja, preside over the commencement of landmark broadband initiatives to be implemented by the Nigerian Communications Commission, (NCC) to accelerate broadband penetration in Nigeria and advance the course of digital economy projections for the nation.

    The event will witness the award of contracts for the provision of broadband infrastructure for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), as well as for tertiary and higher institutions of learning across the six geopolitical zones of the country.

    Pantami is also billed to present a book, SKILLS RATHER THAN JUST DEGREES, authored by him, with a foreword written by Brad Smith, President, Microsoft Corporation.

    The list of projects for the various geopolitical zones that are set for launch were recently approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), after presentation by the Minister. The projects are expected to be completed within six months, from the date of the award.

    Well-known tech companies have been selected through a transparent tendering process by the NCC for the implementation of the strategic projects.

    The event is expected to attract multi-stakeholders from the academia, technology enthusiasts, including prospective start-up companies, fintech organisations and other interested sectors, whose activities are billed to energize the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) 2020-2030.

    The provision of broadband infrastructure for the MSMEs in Nigeria, and for tertiary institutions across the six geopolitical zones of the country will add the necessary fillip towards achieving the major objectives spelt out in the NDEPS 2020-2030.

  • A little alert before another 5G auction in December – By Okoh Aihe

    A little alert before another 5G auction in December – By Okoh Aihe

    Nigeria is in dire straits. She needs money for daily runs and is bungling on the edge of extreme desperation. Desperation can lead to selling of metal scraps for survival or even selling off national assets, as proposed in the 2023 Budget, what in the case of an individual, is pawning, that is, selling off personal items to meet exigent needs. It is not an enviable status to endure. 

    Under this condition, there is a desperation to scratch for everything, including the low hanging fruits, which always present an attractive offer. Frequency or Spectrum for telecommunications services occupy prime place in this consideration. It is therefore no surprise that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the telecommunications regulator, announced last week, that it was putting out for sale in December 2022, some frequencies for 5G services. 

    Published on the website of the Commission, www.ncc.gov.ng, is a material titled: Information Memorandum on 3.5GHz Spectrum Auction, issued on October 21, 2022. Quite interesting, that material. It details the various steps to be taken to be part of the next auction, gives updates on the country’s telecoms market, and pretty well presents some exciting information why an investor would want to come into the industry to do new business. 3.5GHz is the spectrum for 5G services.

    In a little recap which I will call a superfluous tech peregrination, the NCC says: “In its drive to deepen broadband penetration in the country, the Commission in December 2021, conducted an auction of two (2) lots of 100MHz TDD in the 3.5GHz band to support the delivery of ubiquitous broadband services. The Commission is now desirous of auctioning the remaining two (2) lots of 100MHz TDD in the 3.5GHz band to support the delivery of ubiquitous broadband services in line with the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP) 2020-2025.” 

    The two available lots are 3400 – 3500 and 3600 – 3700. The one put out for sale last year and duly won by MTN and Mafab ranged from 3500 – 3600 and 3700 – 3800 in the 3.5GHz band. Each winner paid $273.5m for a Lot. The licence tenure is 10 years.

    I have observed that while the Reserve Price (RP) for the proposed auction is $273,600,000.00, the RP for the one which was held last year was $197.400,000.00. Quite a significant rise, meaning there must be something happening in the telecommunications market to shoot the price that high. Or the peak of last year has simply become a benchmark for greater things to come!

    Don’t get me wrong. Few months ago, three operators in India shelled out a whole of $19bn for Air Wave or Spectrum sales, and they planned to spend much more than that to roll out services. The auguries are different anyway, the huge population of 1.393bn (2021) and the regulatory environment may have made that eye-popping difference. 

    From all indications, there is so much money to be made from the telecommunications industry, either by way of investment or returns or even license fees which go to the government. However, caution is called for before the goose that lays the golden egg (oh that cliche again!) is crushed to death in a moment of rapacious greed. 

    I can’t say I feel the excitement in the industry the way it was last year. And my reaction is even more hebetated. Here are my reasons. The investment environment is not as good as it was last year, it is election season and there is a lot of uncertainty hovering all over, and there are the cynics who will simply assume that the process is not for altruistic purposes but for something beyond the love for telecoms. 

    And there is something about credibility and regulatory propriety. The NCC is very much concerned about this, very concerned about industry and public perception, which is why, each time it would refer to its history of regulatory transparency and its reputable standing in the global gathering of regulators.

    During the auction last year, this writer gathered that the participants had squeezed a promise from the regulator that it would put a moratorium on further 5G auctions for at least 24 months. This would at least enable the pioneer 5G operators to recoup some of their investment before others would get the opportunity to join the fray. Only MTN is rolling out service at the moment, Mafab has yet to fully engage, not to talk of making some money back. It is not even 12 months yet, another process has started, leading to some kind of frosty response from some industry stakeholders.

    There is also another response that should be of reasonable concern to the regulator. Some internal stakeholders are highly disenchanted with goings-on at the Commission. Some sources within the regulatory agency conversant with the regulatory processes, are very unhappy for what they feel is overbearing political pressure on the regulator to break its rules and kowtow to political avarice. 

    The regulatory authority should be concerned with lamentations within the system and appropriate their concerns to regenerate a new direction for the agency. A source told this writer that “This is nothing more than political pressure. NCC is in a difficult position and has lost its independence. The Commission has nowhere to run to for protection. No independence for the Board and no independence for the Commission,” multiple sources lamented. 

    Another source added, “there is no reason for this rush. Nothing says that the process must be completed before this set of politicians will end their term in office. There is no good for this rush,” the source added with signs of exasperation.

    On this page we have complained about regulatory capture of some agencies, a situation where the laws and raw energies of an agency are hijacked or appropriated by an individual or a higher authority who assumes the responsibilities of the agency.  It brings scorn and ridicule to the agency and accentuates a helplessness that scares investors. Under this administration, the day-to-day running of some visible agencies have been taken over by the ministers who in some instances have awarded licenses without recourse to the agency. It is a most humiliating enterprise, and a troubling sign to local and international investors that the laws of the land can be castrated with political braggadocio.

    Mercifully for all of us, the document on the NCC website is still a draft and is open to observations, questions, responses and even objections until November 11, 2022, when all those views will be processed for a final release and publication of the full document on November 18, 2022.

    But here is my very humble question: who wants this license so much that is pressuring the regulatory agency to subvert its own rules, propriety and a legacy of regulatory transparency? While the answer is being minted, I suggest that the process be suspended, and also appeal to the politicians to leave the NCC alone, even in tatters. There will be enough time to recover and gather strength again.

    This auction, in my own opinion, is not being done because government needs money to run the economy, or for the love of pervasive spread of broadband facilities across the nation, but shamefully because there must be some guys somewhere who want to make a final heist. Irrespective of the overwhelming power of greed, the NCC must be allowed to live its own life, the life of a regulator.

  • Nigeria emerges 3rd in global mobile subscriptions additions

    Nigeria emerges 3rd in global mobile subscriptions additions

    Nigeria has the third highest mobile subscriptions additions in the first quarter of 2021 globally, says the latest mobility report by multinational telecommunications company, Ericsson.

    Ericsson’s Vice President and Head of Ericsson South and East Africa, Todd Ashton, made this known on Tuesday during a virtual press briefing to launch the company’s latest mobility report.

    The report said that India had the most net additions of (+26 million), followed by China (+6 million) and Nigeria (+3 million).

    Ashton said: “Positioned as the third highest mobile subscriptions additions in Q1 2021 globally, Nigeria is growing tremendously setting Africa in motion.

    He noted that the growth could be attributed to the young, growing population, the increasing digital skills, and the more affordable smartphones.

    “Correspondingly, this growth is reflected in the online habits of the country where the dependency on online activities for daily tasks is expected to remain high in the future.”

    It said the net addition of mobile subscriptions was quite low during the first quarter(Q1) of 2021, at 59 million.

    Ericsson said this was likely due to the pandemic and associated lockdown restrictions.

    The report reveals that despite the uncertainty caused by COVID-19, service providers continue to switch on 5G, and more than 160 service providers have launched commercial 5G services.

    It also features breakout statistics from Sub-Saharan African markets where around 15 per cent of mobile subscriptions were for 4G at the end of 2020.

    Mobile broadband subscriptions in Sub-Saharan Africa are predicted to increase, reaching 76 per cent of mobile subscriptions by 2026, it said.

    According to the report, 5G volumes are not expected to grow in the sub Saharan region for 2021 but are likely to reach around 70 million 5G subscriptions in 2026.

    Separately, the Global Telecom Market Report (GTM), also known as “The Future of Urban Reality Report”, was also recently launched by the Ericsson ConsumerLab.

    It was launched to assess the penetration of 5G and the tremendous potential it holds to markets around the world.

    According to the company, latest ConsumerLab report is Ericsson’s largest consumer study to date, revealing key insights about what Nigerian consumers believe will happen beyond the pandemic, into the year 2025.

    Ericsson surveyed a sample of 1,000 to 2,000 respondents between the ages of 15–79.

    The report shows that when entering the “next normal”, consumers in Africa will have added an average of 3.4 per cent online services to their daily online activities.

    It also says that the time they spend online would increase by 10 hours per week by 2025, in comparison to their pre-pandemic habits.

    Ericsson says this move is also expected to bridge the gap between moderate and advanced online users, with the more moderate online users having introduced more online services in their daily life over the course of the pandemic.

    It said that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the implementation of online education at schools and universities as well as remote working in Nigeria has increased to 72 per cent and 62 per cent, respectively.

    The report stated that going forward online education and remote working were collectively expected to remain at a level of 29 per cent.

    It said that before the COVID-19 pandemic, the amount of online shopping in Nigeria stood at 35 per cent out of the total number of all shopping events, both online and at physical stores.

    “During the COVID-19 pandemic, this figure increased to 51 per cent.

    “Nigerian consumers online shopping is anticipated to remain at a level of 44 per cent after the COVID-19 pandemic has passed,” it said.

  • Broadband penetration hits 45.43% in Nigeria

    Broadband penetration hits 45.43% in Nigeria

    The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, says broadband penetration in Nigeria increased to 45.43 per cent in October.

    Dr Femi Adeluyi, Technical Assistant on Information Technology to the minister, said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Adeluyi said that this was due to an increase of 4,061,731 broadband subscriptions between September and October 2020.

    “This increase in broadband penetration has been as a result of conscientious implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy for the overall benefit of the economy to achieve a Digital Nigeria.

    “The Nigerian National Broadband Plan (2020-2025), along with the harmonisation of Right of Way charges across the states and protection of critical national infrastructure across the country, had a significant impact on the broadband penetration,” he said.

    He said that broadband was critical to sustainable economic growth.

    He quoted the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Broadband Series as saying: “Broadband contributes to economic growth through more efficiency in business processes, acceleration of innovation and more efficient functional deployment of enterprises.”

    “A report titled -How important are mobile broadband networks for Global Economic Development.

    “It shows that 10 per cent increase in mobile broadband penetration results is approximately 0.6 per cent to 2.8 per cent rise in Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    “In some countries, it increases the GDP by over 6 per cent. The increase in broadband penetration is leading to the growth of Nigeria’s economy in a way that transcends the ICT sector.”

    Adeluyi, however, noted that broadband had supported growth and enabled financial institutions in the delivery of services to their customers.

    He said that it has also enabled the provision of digital services across the different sectors of the economy.

    “It is noteworthy that all these are part of the digital economy, which has been defined as that part of economic output derived solely or primarily from digital technologies with a business model based on digital goods or services, consisting of the digital sector plus emerging digital and platform services,” he said.

    He said that the minister had directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), who were regulators of internet services, to ensure that quality of service was improved.

    He also said that the minister urged all stakeholders to keep supporting the ministry in the implementation of the Broadband Plan for the overall benefit of the economy.

  • Nigeria @60: Obasanjo gets encomium for bringing GSM to Nigeria

    Nigeria @60: Obasanjo gets encomium for bringing GSM to Nigeria

    Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, President National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS) has commended the growth of the telecommunication sector in Nigeria.

    Highlighting the benefits and challenges in the Nigerian telecoms sector, Ogunbanjo poured encomium on former President Olusegun Obasanjo for bringing the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) to the country in his time.

    He recalled the mobile network journey from 2001, stressing that the Obasanjo’s administration did well to ensure that the country went through the telecommunication process.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Ogunbanjo made the commendation as key players in the telecommunication industry say Nigeria can attain greater height in digital penetration if it can increase its broadband.

    The key players in different interviews on Wednesday in Lagos, were x-raying the achievements of the country in the last 60 years of her independence.

    The NATCOMS president, however, said that there was room for improvement, advancement and sustainability in the operation of the telecommunication sector to meet up with the global practice.

    “The phone is now a companion; it is also for making money; it is what gives the daily meal to many, the OBJ administration did well to ensure that we went through the telecommunication process.

    “However, there is need to now start deploying more base stations and broadband to expand concentration of the technology, especially to the rural areas,’’ he told NAN in the interview.

    He suggested that the government should formulate a policy to dedicate a certain percentage of base stations and radio equipment for broadband penetration or internet usage, especially in rural communities or underserved areas.

    “Internet service should be extended to the underserved areas of Nigeria to encourage commercial engagement and business growth.’’

    Ogunbanjo said that there was a need to educate and allow rural dwellers to engage fully in the telecommunication sector, as the internet is famous for the ability to spread information.

    He noted that since the primary use of the internet is communication, it would aid the frequency and quality of interpersonal communication among people.

    The telecom expert also reflected on innovative ideas taking place in the telecommunications sector as part of the nine-point agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

    He said that the presidency started well by creating awareness and renaming the Communications Ministry as the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.

    “The president has shown the importance of the technology sector, which is quite commendable.

    “It means that that sector’s effect is obviously showcasing and touching on all the sectors positively.

    Ogunbanjo also commended the efforts of Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta for pledging to promote and facilitate the expansion of robust broadband and information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure across the country.

    Another key player in the sector, Mr Olusola Teniola, President, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) suggested that the government could improve on the technology sector to help drive all the nine-point agenda.

    Teniola told NAN that this is possible through the introduction of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) based curricula into our education system.

    He said that such an idea should form the basis of producing a workforce of the future that will create the technology needed to prepare the youth for the fourth Industrial Revolution.

    He suggested that there should be collaboration among the Ministries of Science and Technology, Communications and Digital Economy and other government agencies like the National University Commission to provide a platform to build, promote and commercialise innovation into economic value.

    He rated Nigeria as a consumer of technology, rather than being a producer of technology.

    “There are vast opportunities for Nigeria to add value to the technology supply chain and create value-added solutions.

    “Gradually we can move up the chain by developing technology start-ups in an incubation process,’’ Teniola said.

    The ATCON president called on the federal government to do more by promotes innovations and taps into the talent base in the nation’s youth demography.

    “Running hackathons is a good starting point, like MTN.

    “However, more sustainable programmes that identify talents from a younger age and provide scholarships where necessary and support are needed to fuel the engine of innovation.’’

    He said that there was an opportunity to create the Nigerian version of online virtual meeting applications and not having to rely on applications that are not built for our local realities.