Metro-fiber networks constitute 25% of the sector’s infrastructure

• Mainly concentrated in Lagos, Abuja, Ph
• Operators spend N24.3b on diesel annually

The report shows that metropolitan fiber networks in Nigeria account for less than 25 percent of the total fiber distances in the country.

Networks are concentrated in major cities such as Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Edo and Ogun states, while other locations remain unserved or have shortages.

A report by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) reveals that access to fiber optic networks within 5 kilometers of the population currently averages about 39%, with the highest in Lagos State at 85% and the lowest at 12%. in Jigawa State.

Focusing on the need to improve infrastructure in the telecommunications industry, the NCC observed that infrastructure deficiencies have impacted the growth and development of the Nigerian economy and constituted an obstacle to the realization of the country’s technological and industrial aspirations.

The report indicates that despite achievements in the ICT sector, there is an infrastructure deficit – only 54,000 km of backbone network and medium-length fiber optics have been deployed, with significant duplication.

Referring to the 2013 National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (NIIMP), which is expected to cost $3 trillion and cover core infrastructure such as energy, housing, water and ICT, and which will be implemented between 2013 and 2043, it is expected that ICT development will cost $325 million.

Besides, due to inadequate infrastructure, the report noted that energy supply remains a formidable task.

He indicated that the electricity supply situation in the public sector must urgently improve for Nigeria to fully reap the benefits of the development of wireline and wireline telecommunications.

Although operators resort to powering their base transmission stations (BTS) with generators,
the report indicates that the emergency power systems of most ICT devices operate on batteries for between two and eight hours. She emphasized that this was a situation in which power outages could last from 12 to 48 hours, and in some cases
in more cases, impacting the use and sustainable deployment of ICT infrastructure and uptake.

The study revealed that the three operators spend over N24 billion annually on diesel to power their generating sets. Specifically, MTN is spending N7.5 billion on 2,700 BTS and 5,400 generating sets; Globacom is spending N8.4 billion on 3,000 BTS and 6,000 gensets while Airtel is also spending N8.4 billion on 3,000 BTS with 6,000 gensets.

The NCC cited other challenges plaguing the sector, including import obligations and lengthy licensing processes; destruction and vandalism of equipment; inadequate roads and social infrastructure; transmission infrastructure challenges and excessive taxation.

The study recommended that in the future, the NCC should actively pursue the implementation of active infrastructure sharing as an alternative to reduce the cost of network deployment. She noted that this would reduce the costs of building and maintaining infrastructure.

Given the paucity of industry information needed for policy planning and regulatory making, the Commission should consider advising on the impact of infrastructure deficiencies on technology penetration levels in Nigeria.

The Commission is also expected to monitor and penalize telecommunications operators who fail to fulfill their universal service obligations set out in their licensing documents.

It was stressed that governments and policymakers are encouraged to develop and implement sustainable models to support government investment in critical ICT/technology infrastructure.

According to the study, the government and policymakers should also encourage the creation of regional infrastructure companies that understand the specifics of the region and can help build the necessary ICT infrastructure.

The study said the government should also provide incentives to encourage all public and private entities to undertake research and development efforts for Nigeria.