Page 124 - SAMENA Trends - April-May 2021

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

NCC is Building Broadband Infrastructure for 4IR

The executive vice chairman, Nigerian International Telecommunications Union growth and national competitiveness.
Communications Commission, Professor (ITU) to ensure Growth, Inclusiveness, “The question of regulation of disruptive
Umar Danbatta said the telecom industry and Sustainability,” he said. According to technologies without stultifying innovation
regulatory agency is working with licensed the telecom regulator, the Commission is one that we, like all other regulators
network operators to build resilient has recorded a number of significant globally, are carefully studying. For now, we
broadband infrastructure that the Fourth achievements such as the licensing of have maintained a sharp focus on critical
Industrial Revolution (4IR) will ride on. He six infrastructure companies (InfraCos) cross-cutting aspects like consumer
disclosed this while delivering a paper on to speed up the deployment of broadband protection, enhancement of competition,
‘Powering the Fourth Industrial Revolution infrastructure throughout Nigeria; The data protection and enhancement of trust
in Nigeria’ at the virtual Third Discourse provision of training and supporting public in digital platforms through the prevention
of the Advocaat Law Practice, last week. institutions with ICT interventions like of cybercrimes and other abuses. Prof.
Danbatta was represented by Executive School Knowledge Centers, ADAPTI etc. Danbatta who stated that the issue of
Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, “In the last five years, the Commission has citizens’ identification and digital identity
NCC, Barr. Adeleke Adewolu. According expanded broadband penetration from is critical to Nigeria’s digital emergence
to Prof. Danbatta, Nigeria can only six per cent to 42.06 as at February 2021; and its future growth, said the Commission
harness the opportunities of the Fourth access gap clusters have been reduced working telecom network operators
Industrial Revolution as a nation if we put from 207 to 114; Fiber Optic coverage and the National Identity Management
in place effective guiding frameworks to has increased from 47,000km to 54,725 Commission (NIMC), have achieved very
address the various aspects of the digital km and Base Transceiver Stations for 3G significant success in the activation of
ecosystem and ensure their effective and 4G deployments have increased from new SIMs linked with authenticated NINs,
interworking in the national interest. He 30,000 to 53,460,” he said. The EVC further and that the activation of new SIMs will
said Nigeria is not lacking in key policy and noted that the creation of a full-fledged now be carried out across the country
regulatory frameworks and instruments department Digital Economy has been in earnest. In essence, he said Nigeria
which will enable us to play a leading created to support Federal Government’s can only maximize the potentials of the
role in powering the 4IR, noting that the Digital Economy agenda. The NCC also 4th Industrial Revolution if we articulate
National Digital Economy Policy and increased funding of Telecom Research effective and forward-looking Policy
Strategy Policy (2020-2030) boasts of to N336.4 million and has endowed four Instruments to guide our emergence
eight pillars designed to, amongst others Professorial Chairs; and also commenced into the future digital landscape; Ensure
to: Enable Nigeria become a leading player requisite engagements on 5G deployments the ubiquitous presence, the seamless
in the global digital economy. It will provide and some of its licensees have already operation and the cost-effective availability
a catalyst to facilitate the diversification carried out trials. “These strides will of communications infrastructure which
of the economy; and accelerate the enable the telecommunications sector will power the digital aspirations of all
attainment of the key national objectives provide the infrastructure backbone for sectors of the Nigerian economy and
of improving security, reducing corruption powering the Fourth Industrial Revolution ensure that national competitiveness is
and expanding the economy. “Similarly, in Nigeria. We are firmly committed to guaranteed. “Deploy effective regulatory
the Nigerian National Broadband Policy ensure that Nigerians in Nigeria play instruments and harness the efforts of
(2020-2024) clearly highlights the a leading role in Artificial Intelligence, all critical Stakeholders so that we can
various implementation strategies that Cloud Computing, Internet of Things derive the utmost benefits from the 4th
would aid the pervasive inclusion and (IoT), Robotics, Blockchain, Autonomous Industrial revolution and not be reduced
rollout of broadband services across the Vehicle, Drones and other innovative to digital laggards, spectators, or, merely a
country whilst also developing a robust technologies which are now driving consumptive class.”
and holistic digital economy. The NCC’s
Strategic Management Plan (SMP 2020-
2024 or “ASPIRE 2024”) consolidated
on the vision we earlier articulated in
the Strategic Vision Plan and 8-Point
Agenda. “We have responded to the policy
goals highlighted above to harness the
immense socio-economic benefits of
ICT for national development; to ensure
that ICT infrastructure are up to the
standard necessary to provide ubiquitous
broadband services in Nigeria; and to align
the Commission’s regulatory efforts with
the aforementioned Policy Instruments,
as well as the growth strategies of the
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