The National Broadband Plan targeting 70 per cent broadband penetration in Nigeria by 2025 received a boost with the roll out of 10, 000km fibre optic cable across Nigeria by Global Independent Connect Limited (GICL), a subsidiary of IHS Holding Limited.
More broadly, IHS Nigeria said it continues to deploy fiber-to-the-tower (FTTT) to provide increased transmission capacity to help improve the performance of fiber access networks and the introduction of next-generation technologies, such as 5G services.
By connecting towers, IHS Nigeria is helping bring fiber infrastructure to core metropolitan areas and support the delivery of digital services to homes, corporates and public institutions in partnership with its customers.
In addition to GICL’s fiber optic network, IHS Nigeria has also implemented mobile network coverage in over 580 previously unconnected rural communities in Nigeria through its rural telephony programme. By helping deliver voice and data services to these communities, IHS Nigeria is working to meet MNO’s rollout targets and support the Federal Government’s digital inclusion agenda.
GICL, Vice President, Kazeem Oladepo, commented, “Limited metropolitan and long-haul fiber optic networks continue to be an obstacle to the improvement of existing communication services, and the introduction of emerging technologies and digital services in Nigeria. Our approach to fiber optic cable deployment concentrates on implementing networks on an open access, shared infrastructure basis, providing robust and scalable fiber pairs and alternate ducts to ensure multiple operators can utilize the infrastructure.
“Through collaborations with multiple stakeholders, including our customers, state and federal agencies, we have achieved a significant volume of fiber optic cable network delivery in under three years. We are committed to supporting the Federal Government’s digital economy objectives, and this milestone demonstrates the possibilities of accelerated critical infrastructure roll-out when key stakeholders align their objectives.”
