Towards advancing Nigeria’s broadband infrastructure, telecom infrastructure company IHS Nigeria has completed the rollout of over 10,000 kilometers of fiber optic cables across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory through its subsidiary, Global Independent Connect Limited (GICL).
IHS Nigeria, in a statement, announced the successful deployment of Fiber-to-the-Tower (FTTT) technology, an initiative which aims to increase transmission capacity, enhancing the performance of fiber access networks, and facilitating the introduction of next-generation technologies, including 5G services.
This development serves as a crucial boost to the federal government’s ongoing efforts to enhance broadband penetration in the country, aligning with the objectives outlined in the Nigeria National Broadband Plan (NNBP 2020-2025), which aims for a 70% broadband penetration by 2025.
Despite the commendable progress, data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) reveals that broadband penetration stood at 40.85% as of September 2023, indicating the need for further infrastructure expansion.
The vice President of GICL, Kazeem Oladepo, stated that ,”Our approach to fiber optic cable deployment concentrates on implementing networks on an open access, shared infrastructure basis, providing robust and scalable fiber pairs and alternate ducts to ensure multiple operators can utilize the infrastructure.”
He further highlighted collaboration with stakeholders, including customers, state and federal agencies, as a key driver in achieving rapid deployment within three years. The open-access approach underscores the commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s digital economy objectives.