Broad-band Penetration In Nigeria Has Increased In 2021- NCC

[caption id="attachment_112919" align="aligncenter" width="856"] NCC Director Digital Economy[/caption]

Broadband is a high-capacity transmission technique using a wide range of frequencies, which enables a large number of messages to be communicated simultaneously.

Broadband penetration is the number of subscriptions to fixed and mobile broadband services.

According to the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Prof, Umar Garba Danbatta, broadband penetration increased from 21.65 percent in January 2017 to 39.79 as at July 2021 with approximately 45million and 75m subscribers.

Danbatta said this on Friday, September 10, during a Paper presentation titled, 'NCC Sustainable communication in Nigeria for worldwide online broadcast' at the African Single Market World Commodities Summit and Expo 2021 with Digital Economy in Africa.

The EVC who was represented by Engineer Augustine Nwaulune, Director Digital Economy, NCC, said;

"The Nigerian Communications Commission in it's capacity as the regulator of Nigeria's telecoms sector which is one of the largest on this continent, understands the need for sustainable strategies that take into consideration the future of communications and it's impact on stake holders as well as the economy at large.

[caption id="attachment_112916" align="aligncenter" width="504"] Engineer Augustine Nwaulune, Director Digital Economy, NCC,[/caption]

The surge in digital broadcasting such as the diffusion of online streaming has necessitated the need for a critical look and subsequent adoption in emerging technologies. However in other for African broadcasting outlets to compete greatly they need to go beyond staying abreast with recent technology and swift dissemination of information to ensure that they maximize the reach in underserved areas while striving for notable international presence as tradition business modules are gradually substituted by both emerging start ups as well as digitally transformed existing players . Media companies and broadcasters need to develop new digital based business strategies to be able to compete and retain their audiences.

This cannot be achieved without broadband access and penetration. The broadband penetration in Nigeria has increased going from 21.65 percent in January 2017 to 39.79 as at July 2021 with approximately 45million and 75m subscribers respectively but in January we have 45m in July 2021, we have 75m subscribers.

The Nigeria national global plan is targeting a provision of 120,000 kilometres of fibre optic network, broad band speed of 3megbits per second and 25mega bits per second in urban and rural areas respectively. There is an expectation of 60 percent digital literacy, 70 percent penetration and 90 percent of coverage by 2025. The commission is determined to free engage in the digital advancement of the different communication factions to that which rivals it's counterparts in the global industry."