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Nigeria’s delay in broadband implementation could hamper $1billion Telco investment – Accenture

By on January 7, 2013

R-L :Mr. Usen Udoh of Accenture, Mr. Udom Inoyo and Mrs. Ntekpe Inoyo of Inoyo Toro Foundation

Leading Consulting Group Accenture has raised the alarm that delay in the implementation of the Broadband Internet Policy in Nigeria, had the potential of affecting huge investment into the Mobile and Information Technology sectors.

With the recent analysis, that the data connectivity and usage demands in the country and even the continent has increased, the service delivery has become a major challenge in the country. Noting how viable and lucrative the Nigerian market is, Telcos who are strategically viewing the situation for investment, are concerned about the pace of broadband policy.

Speaking further on the issue, the Senior Director Management Consulting, Accenture Mr Usen Udoh stressed in an interview in Abuja, that it was disturbing that the cables which enhance connectivity were idling away in the coasts because the broadband policy was delaying the movement of the cables to the hinterlands.

It has been agreed that the slow approach by the Government over the past years was caused by the poor value attached to the rolling out of the broadband policy in the country, which had cost the Nation a lot of opportunities.

In Africa, it is still on record that Rwanda is still number one when it comes to capacity, utilisation and expansion of the broadband policy and penetration. It has opened the East African Nation to numerous investment opportunities from Telecommunications Companies and other Global Players in the Information technology sector.

An example also given by the consulting group was the situation of the Globacom submarine cable and the Main One Cable, estimated at $700million and $300million respectively that had landed in the Lagos Coast two years ago, but yet to make impact in the data services utilisation and access in the country.

It is expected then that the Federal Government committee on Broadband Implementation, will fast-track the process and ensure that Africa’s leading economy does not lose out of the possibility of enjoying the benefits of huge Investments in the Fibre Optic cables that will facilitate Internet and Data penetration.