NAN-H-131
Broadband
By Constance Athekame
Abuja, Feb. 16, 2017 (NAN) Mrs Mary Uduma, the Chairperson, Nigeria Internet Governance Forum says the 2018 target to achieve 30 per cent broadband penetration in the country is achievable provided the right policies are in place.
Uduma told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday that if the right policies were in place, investors would invest in broadband services.
The Federal Government inaugurated a Presidential Committee on National Broadband Strategy and Roadmap to come up with a five-year strategic roadmap for Nigeria Broadband Plan from 2013 to 2018.
The objectives are to promote pervasive broadband deployment, increase broadband adoption and usage.
It is also to ensure availability of broadband services at affordable rates aimed at maximising the socio-political and economic benefits to the people.
“If the infrastructure is beefed up by government, it will assist network operators to improve their infrastructure to achieve the target by 2018,’’ Udoma said.
“If we have between 15 and 20 per cent as at December 2016, and we are in 2017, we have to do everything possible achieve the 30 per cent in 2018,’’ she said.
Udoma said however that government should address the challenges of infrastructures such as electricity to enable operators power their masts in various locations, access of foreign exchange and multiple taxation for the target to be achieved.
She called on all stakeholders to come together to support the government to enable the country achieve the 30 per cent broadband penetration by the target year of 2018.
“I think it is achievable, if all stakeholders in the Information Communication Technology can come together to support the government,’’ she said.
On the use of internet, Uduma said that the internet was a great tool that had helped a lot of people to do business and interact with other people.
“You can learn on the internet, you can do business on the internet and if you want your voice to be heard, you can do it through the social media,’’ she said.
Udoma said that with internet, women could work from home and even those in prison could work through the internet. (NAN)
COA/GY
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Edited by Grace Yussuf