SAN FRANCISCO, December 14, (THEWILL) – The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says the country’s broadband penetration stood at 30.9 per cent as at November 2018, surpassing the 30 per cent target by the National Broad Band Plan.
This was revealed on Thursday by its Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, while speaking with select journalists from various media outfits including THEWILL on Thursday in Abuja.
“As at November 2018, broadband penetration is 30.9 per cent. We have exceeded the target by 0.9 per cent,” he said.
“At NCC, we knew we have to meet the broadband implementation plan to get to 30 per cent at the end of 2018 due to the work done, we now stand at 30.9 per cent equivalent of 31 per cent.
“NCC had issued license to seven infrastructure companies to deploy the needed infrastructure to facilitate the required penetration in the 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Nigeria.
“This will enable penetration reach the served and underserved areas in the country.
“Active Voice Subscriber base grew from 165, 239, 443 in October 2018 to 169, 104, 830 in November 2018.
“Internet subscription grew from 107, 547, 723 in October 2018 to 108, 897, 679 in November 2018.
“Total Active Broadband Subscription on 3G and 4G platforms as at November 2018 was 58,965,478.”
The NCC boss said according to the reports released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), contributions of the Telecommunications and Information Services to Gross Domestic Products (GDP) stood at N4.7 trillion.
On investments in the telecoms sector, Danbatta said: “They have grown from a mere $50million in 2001 to over $70billion as at September 2017.
“We intervened in the 9mobile crisis to save the investments of its owners, protect over 2000 jobs and safeguard over 20million subscribers on that network.”
Danbatta also revealed that telecommunications giant, MTN has paid N165billion out of the N330 billion imposed on it by the NCC but said the government was weighing options on another $8.5billion sanctions on MTN by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
“That has since been settled. The MTN fine that NCC did has since been settled. As I am talking to you, there is a Settlement Agreement with MTN according to which MTN will pay N330 billion.
“They are busy paying. So far, they have paid 50 per cent of this amount meaning that they have paid N165billion to the coffers of the government.
“And they will be paying the next tranche in December this year. So, the fines have since been settled a long time ago.
“The $8.5billion is a CBN issue and as a regulator, we pray and hope that this will also be amicably settled because what affects MTN will have serious consequences for the telecommunication sector.
“So, our prayer is that this issue will also be amicably resolved, it is being resolved amicably.
“I heard reliably and we hope to read very soon that this issue is over also. The Nigerian government is disposed to amicable resolution of the MTN matter with the CBN.
“Issues that have bearing on the economy, the government is always disposed to finding amicable resolutions. This has always been the position of this government on issues that may have adverse effects on the economy.”
