Telecoms operators in Nigeria are planning to spend about N948 billion ($6 billion) on Information Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure as from 2013, the minister of Communication and Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson revealed.
While informing Nigerian on the activities of her ministry under the Ministerial platform to commemorate the mid-term anniversary of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, she said the fund include N474 billion ($3 billion) syndicate loan facility extended to major operator in the market- biggest financial deal in sub-Saharan Africa Communications Sector.
The minister, however noted that investment in the sector was hampered by increasing incidences and values of taxes and levies requested by states; delays in obtaining approval to build base stations among other things.
She explained that while the country needed 60,000 base stations to meet its ICT demands, operators were been asked to pay N250 million ecology tax to deploy base stations, while they have to wait for six months for approval for deployment.
The minister also disclosed that the country currently has 27,000 base stations which she were not adequate, stressing that the expansion rate of 2,000 a year cannot get the nation there.
She revealed that the country was working on the expansion of the broadband, noting that presently 18 rural broadband were being worked on while 12 had been completed.
“Significantly more base stations need to be deployed across the country to meet national target of a five-fold increase in broadband penetration by 2018,” she said.
She also noted that the Federal Government had Issue Executive Order protecting key infrastructure pending passage of Critical Infrastructure Bill.
Other achievements of government in the area of ICT, according to the minister include, 11 Satellites currently positioned to provide coverage over Africa, extending communications infrastructure to un-served and under-served areas, Accelerated Mobile Phone Expansion (AMPE-BTS) programme is helping to deploy Base Stations in rural areas.
She also added that a total of 54 base stations had been installed with 28 more planned for 2013.
On Rural Broadband Initiative (RUBI) which provides wholesale internet bandwidth to ISPs, Cyber cafes, and ICT centres like Community Communication Centres (CCC) in rural communities, the minister said of the 18 pilot sites selected, 12 are 95 per cent complete and transmission testing was on-going in Akure and Osogbo.
Source: WorldStage