The National Executive Committee of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has called on stakeholders to double down on its commitment in ensuring that the 70% New National Broadband target is achieved.
Engr Ikechukwu Nnamani, President of ATCON, stated this at ATCON’s virtual Structured Engagement with key Stakeholders in the Nigerian Telecom & ICT Sector on the New National Broadband Plan 2020- 2025, which was held on March 25, 2021.
Engr Nnamani noted that the aim of the virtual event was to have a conversation around the New National Broadband Plan 2020-2025 with a view to ascertaining the status of the implementation, identifying any bottlenecks that may hinder successful implementation of the plan, as well as proffer lasting solutions to eventual realization of the 70% Broadband penetration target.
According to him, To our member company CEOs who have been making right decisions to put the industry on continuous growth trajectory and who helped get Nigeria out of the recent economic recession, your efforts is well noted and commended.
“I like to use this opportunity to appeal that you don’t rest on your oars because the realization of 70% broadband penetration target depends considerably on you in the coming years.
“The development of a solid digital economy rests on the foundation of a well distributed broadband infrastructure and involves the convergence of all technology types and classes of service.
“To this end we have brought together key industry leaders cutting across the nine sub-group of ATCON’s membership to discuss and strategize with the leadership of the public sector on the best ways to achieve an accelerated implementation of the Nigerian National Broadband Plan.
“This includes our members from: Telephone Operators (PNL/Fixed Line Operators, MNOs/IDAs Operators), Infrastructure Providers (Interconnect, Data Centre Operators, Towers/Base Stations Providers); Internet Services Providers (ISP) (Wholesale Segment, Retail Segment), Value Added Services Providers (VAS), Over The Top (OTT) Players, FINTECH/e-Commerce Operators, Telecom/ICT Equipment Manufacturers, Telecom/ICT Consulting firms, and Telecom/ICT Equipment Dealers”.
The president further noted the virtual meeting was put in place to
a. Ascertain the status of the implementation of the NNBP 2020-2025
b. Identify any potential bottlenecks that may negatively impact on the smooth implementation of the plan and proffer necessary solutions to mitigate against them
c. Leverage on the wide spectrum of ATCON sub-groups for effective participation in the new Nigerian National Broadband Plan 2020-2025 by giving them the opportunity to access the plan and suggest various ways to speed up the realization of the established target by the government.
d. To serve as a veritable platform to align the objectives and expectations of the private and public sectors.
He therefore thanked Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy for honouring their invitation to this meeting and commended him for his tireless efforts towards resolving key challenges facing the industry as well as advocating for the speedy implementation of the national broadband plan.
Engr Nnamani added that the fruits of Pantami’s efforts can be seen in terms of broadband penetration and various policies that have been initiated, ratified, and issued to further encourage the growth of the industry.
