BUHARIMETER: AFTER ADDRESSING UNIFORM RIGHT-OF-WAY CHARGES, THE NEXT LEVEL IS TO MOVE BROADBAND COVERAGE TO 120,000 KM OF FIBRE NETWORK ACROSS NIGERIA.

Broadband is the transfer of high bandwidth of data over a high-speed internet connection. Fibre optic internet is a broadband connection that can reach speeds of up to 940 Megabits per second (Mbps), with low latency. The technology uses fibre optic cables, which can send data as fast as about 70% of the speed of light. In addition, fibre optic cables are not as susceptible to severe weather conditions as other types of traditional cables, which helps minimize outages. It also resists electrical interference effectively.  

Fibre connectivity is essential for the broadband infrastructure of a nation willing to grow its digital presence and economy. It is, for this reason, the president pledged 120,000km of fibre network connectivity around the country, as such infrastructural coverage is critical to the economic development of the country.

Currently, less than 70,000 km of fibre optic cable is deployed in the country limiting wider pervasive coverage in Nigeria.  Out of about 120,000 km of fibre network required for pervasive coverage in Nigeria, only a paltry 69,000 km fibre has been deployed. The NCC said although it has tried to get the governors to buy into the ‘broadband for all’ concept catching on in many developed countries, they had remained adamant and retained very outrageous right-of-way prices which practically frustrate the efforts of cable operators and infrastructure Companies from deploying broadband services for the last mile.

The 69,000 km of fiber in deployment is a far cry from the critical 120,000km needed & promised by the president to meet the New National Broadband Plan of 2025. This promise is rated “BROKEN”.

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