Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami has directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) as regulators of Internet services, to ensure that quality of service improves.
The minister added that broadband penetration in the country has increased to 45.43% as at end of October 2020. Because of an increase of 4,061,731 broadband subscriptions between September and October 2020.
He explained that the “notable increase” in broadband penetration was as a result of conscientious implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy for the overall benefit of the economy to achieve a Digital Nigeria.
“In particular, the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (2020-2025), along with the harmonization of Right of Way charges across the states and protection of critical national infrastructure across the country, amongst others, has had significant impact on the broadband penetration.
Broadband is critical to sustainable economic growth and according to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Broadband Series, broadband contributes to economic growth through more efficiency in business processes, acceleration of innovation and more efficient functional deployment of enterprises.”
According to him, a report titled “How Important Are Mobile Broadband Networks for Global Economic Development” shows that 10% increase in mobile broadband penetration results in approximately 0.6% to 2.8% rise in Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
