What we have done to deepen broadband penetration – Danbatta

ABUJA, Nigeria – Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Professor Umar Garba Danbatta today outlined the robust engagement of the commission in the quest to deepen broadband penetration in Nigeria.

Danbatta who was speaking at the first Virtual Telecom Consumer Parliament (VTCP) in Abuja, Nigeria, said  the intervention of the Hon. Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, state governors are now aligning their Right of Way charges to N145 as approved by the Federal Economic Council (FEC) and reducing below N145 per linear of fibre laid by the operators in their states while some state governors have totally waived RoW charges. 

“ All these are aimed at encouraging network operators to deploy telecoms/broadband infrastructure faster in their states with a view to deepening digital access”, he said  and that most of the state governors have appreciated the centrality of robust broadband infrastructure as work-from-home measures by government persists.

The EVC said the commission is hopeful that with the reduction in RoW, which will automatically result in reduction in capital expenditure (CAPEX) by the network operators, telecom companies will sooner or later reciprocate the gesture by making their services in particular, data services more affordable to Nigerians.

Outlining the proactive nature of the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy, Danbatta recalled that among the issues presented to the Honourable Minister when he assumed office was the need to strengthen telecom infrastructure protection.

“The Honourable Minister acted on this issue speedily by obtaining presidential approval directing Security Agencies to protect ICT and telecom facilities as critical national assets”, and that his quick response helped to safeguard telecom infrastructure for the greater role telecom has to play with the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic. 

 Danbatta explained that while the regulator and the supervisory ministry have left no stone unturned towards ensuring that telecom service providers provide good quality service despite the covid-19 pandemic, it is equally important that network operators improve the quality of experience of the consumers. 

He called on stakeholders to undertake an objective assessment of the impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on telecom networks and service delivery to consumers as well as come up with suggestions that will enhance the delivery of Quality Service to esteemed consumers during and post Covid-19 period.

Earlier in his opening address to the occasion, Director Consumer Affairs Bureau, NCC, Mr. Efosa Idehen said the Telecom Consumer Parliament (TCP) provides high-level engagement and interactions with consumers and other stakeholders in the telecommunications industry to address critical industry issues affecting consumers and other stakeholders in the telecommunications value-chain in Nigeria.

He said the Telecom Consumer Parliament has had positive and far-reaching impacts on the growth of the industry and benefited stakeholders in many ways.

 Idehen explained that as high-speed broadband connectivity  becomes available to Nigerians to improve efficiency in their daily activities, cyber criminals are catching in on the opportunities provided to defraud unsuspecting internet users. He explained that though the issue of cybercrime remains a global phenomenon, it  has become more pronounced in Nigeria.

“It is on the crest of this that the Commission, as a consumer-centric telecommunications industry regulatory agency chose today’s theme: “The Impact of Covid-19 pandemic on Telecom Service Delivery” for discussion. The objective, he said is to ascertain the role telecom service providers played and are expected to play to protect telecoms consumers and deliver quality service to them during this unique period. 

“With this theme in mind, it becomes necessary to ask: What roles are currently being played by telecom service providers and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) alike towards protecting their consumers in the Covid-19 pandemic era. Additionally, are the measures put in place to protect the consumers sufficient?

“Do the service providers need to institute new measures to improve upon consumer protection initiatives? Finally, do the additional measures compliment the current legal and regulatory frameworks to ensure improved security for telecom consumers while online?”, he asked, hoping that answers shall be provided to questions raised as deliberation continues.

Idehen said the commission receives complaints from telecoms consumers regarding service delivery and that as a responsible regulator that envisions top-notch service delivery by the operators, the NCC would continue to do everything within its regulatory mandate to ensure that constant improvement in telecoms service delivery is sustained.

While acknowledging the challenges facing the network operators especially because of the Covid-19 pandemic, he emphasized the need to find solutions to the numerous complaints received from consumers with regards to poor Quality of Service delivered especially in the voice and data segment.

The NCC also used the occasion to avail direct video feedback of consumers to telecom service providers across Nigeria with queries on what they are doing to improve services during the COVID-19 era.

Major telecom service providers like MTN, GLO, Airtel, 9mobile and the rest who attended the Virtual Telecom Consumer Parliament informed stakeholders that they have invested in network upgrades to improve services during the COVID-19 pandemic era.