NCC Launches Policy to Reduce Broadband Deployment Costs

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is initiating a policy aimed at reducing the costs associated with broadband deployment by promoting the sharing of underground telecom ducts during road construction and rehabilitation. This initiative was unveiled at a stakeholders' forum in Abuja, led by Nadungu Gagar, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.

The policy seeks to eliminate the need for repeated road excavations, thereby lowering deployment costs and enhancing infrastructure sharing. Ayuba Shuaibu, Director of Policy Competition and Economic Analysis at NCC, emphasized the importance of establishing a price mechanism to ensure equitable access and sustainable infrastructure development across sectors.

The policy aims to facilitate the installation of telecom ducts whenever roads are constructed or rehabilitated, allowing multiple operators to deploy fiber without further excavation. Olugbenga Olabiyi, Managing Director of Dimens Data Nigeria, noted that repeated civil engineering work is a significant obstacle to broadband expansion in Nigeria.

The NCC remains committed to a transparent and inclusive consultation process to finalize the pricing structure.