The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says Nigeria’s active telephony subscribers have increased from 203 million to 208 million with teledensity at 108.92 per cent.
The NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), Umar Garba Danbatta who stated this in a statement on Thursday added that active internet subscriptions increased to 154.9 million and broadband penetration hitting 45.07 per cent.
Danbatta, a professor, said the third generation (3G) and fourth generation (4G) base transceiver stations (BTS) deployment in Nigeria has increased from 30,000 to 53,460.
According to him, Fibre Optic Transmission cables expanded from 47,000km to 54,725km in the last five years, resulting in improved broadband/telecoms service delivery to Nigerians.
He spoke during a reception for the new Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, Engr. Festus Yusuf Daudu, in Abuja on Tuesday.
”The effective regulatory regime emplaced by the leadership of the Commission has resulted in increased deployment of infrastructure by telecoms operators, which in turn, helped to improve broadband penetration and other related service delivery in the telecoms industry,” Danbatta said.
“The BTS, fibre optic cables and other related infrastructure are central to the provision of improved service experience for Nigerians by their respective telecoms service providers,” he said.
The licensed Infrastructure Companies (InfraCos), according to him, are also expected to add 38,296km to optic fibre cables when they commence operations fully.
The EVC stated that the number of subscriptions to DND service has hit over 30 million as the service empowers Nigerians to be able to protect themselves from the menace of unsolicited text messages.
In recognition of the tremendous economic growth opportunities afforded by the deployment of broadband and its associated technologies, Danbatta said the Commission has positioned itself in government’s drive for a digital Nigeria.
This, he explained, is contained in the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (2020–2025), the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (2020–2030) and the Strategic Management Plan (2020–2024) of the Commission.
“The Commission will continue to put in its best in the discharge of its mandates, especially in facilitating the deployment of broadband, which is central to diversifying the Nigerian economy and national development.
”Also, it is our belief that the communications industry, under the leadership of the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, will experience more quantum leaps and retain its current leadership role in the telecommunications space,” he said.
Reacting, Engr. Dauda hailed the upward growth to the effective regulatory regime, the central role NCC is playing in the digital transformation of the Nigerian economy and the impressive contribution of the sector to the country’s Gross Domestic (GDP).
