Airtel backs FG’s broadband utilization plan

Stories by Chris Alu

Airtel telecoms, has pledged to support the federal government broadband plan to address the penetration and utilization of broadband.

Mr. Osondu Nwokoro Airtel Director of Regulatory Affairs and Special Projects gave the assurance in a paper presentation at a conference on E- Business.

Speaking on the topic, Policy and Regulatory Imperatives for Broadband Ubiquity, Nwokoro noted that NBP is a step in the right direction and affirms government’s commitment to meeting the country’s broadband needs.

He said that the telecom company welcomes the issuance of the National Broadband Plan (NBP), 2013-2018 by the Federal Government; it is consistent with developments in other jurisdictions.

According to him Airtel is deeply committed to partnering with the Government to implement the NBP and facilitate broadband realization in Nigeria, adding that Nigeria’s national broadband penetration currently stands at 6% with a potential of rising to 42% by 2018 and 76% by 2020.

He explained that the plan will follows a projected 80% increase in coverage by 2018 and 95% by 2020, the country ranks first among Africa’ stop 10 internet countries with about 48.4 million users.

While commenting on the socio-economic gains accruable from the national broadband targets, Nwokoro said the scheme when implemented would contribute about NGN 190 Billion naira to the national GDP by 2015 with a direct revenue impact projected at NGN 599 Billion (0.7%) from spend on usage and devices during same period.

Nwokoro also disclosed that the operator is in partnership with five State Governments to implement a number of E-Social Service initiatives vis-à-vis E-Education, E-Government and E-Health and assured on the company’s readiness to partner other states for the full realization of the all-inclusive benefits of an inter-driven economy.