Prof. Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), estimates that the country will have at least 195.4 million phone subscribers by December 2021.
The NCC’s Executive Vice-Chairman, speaking at the ongoing 43rd Kaduna International Trade Fair in Kaduna, explained that 141 million are Internet subscribers, with 40.88 percent having a broadband connection, while the nation’s social media space has continued to thrive.
According to him, the telecommunications sector is still a strategic driver of the federal government’s digital economy, as evidenced by the commission’s decision to deploy Nigeria’s fifth-generation network.
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He stated that, in contrast to 1G, 2G, 3G, and 4G networks, the 5G network brings significant network improvements, higher connection speed, mobility, and capacity, as well as low-latency capabilities to Nigerian communications services.
He went on to say, “The telecommunications sector has been a strategic driver of the Federal Government’s digital economy agenda, as it continues to provide the needed digital sinews that support the economy, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic and its attendant restriction period.”
According to the NCC’s Executive Vice-Chairman, the country’s active mobile subscriptions will reach 195.4 million in December 2021, with more than 141 million Internet subscribers and a broadband penetration rate of 40.88 percent.
In this new environment, Nigeria’s competitiveness is dependent on its ability to leverage new technological advances, he explained, adding that areas where NCC’s regulatory efforts in deepening access to digital services will benefit Nigeria and make it competitively comparable to other economies include direct job creation, contribution to GDP growth, the emergence of new services and industries, workforce transformation, and business innovation.
Prof. Danbatta stated that the commission continuously implements a number of regulatory measures to ensure seamless access by Nigerians to telecommunications services in order to deepen the Nigerian economy’s competitiveness.
He also stated that the NCC is on the verge of deploying a Fifth Generation (5G) network in Nigeria, and that spectrum licenses have already been issued to the companies that will provide services.
He explained that, unlike 1G, 2G, 3G, and 4G networks, the 5G network will bring significant network improvements, higher connection speed, mobility, and capacity, as well as low-latency capabilities to Nigerian communications services.
More importantly, he stated that NCC is committed to continuing to provide a level playing field for operators to thrive, as well as to encouraging investment and the delivery of innovative services to individual consumers, SMEs, and large business owners by ensuring improved consumer quality of experience.
