The National Broadband Plan targeting 70 per cent broadband penetration in Nigeria by 2025 received a boost with the rollout of 10, 000km fibre optic cable across Nigeria by Global Independent Connect Limited (GICL), a subsidiary of IHS Holding Limited.
By connecting towers, IHS Nigeria is helping bring fibre 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 fibre 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 fibre optic networks continue to be an obstacle to improving existing communication services and introducing emerging technologies and digital services in Nigeria. Our fibre optic cable deployment approach concentrates on implementing networks on an open-access, shared infrastructure basis, providing robust and scalable fibre pairs and alternate ducts to ensure multiple operators can utilize the infrastructure.
“Through collaborations with multiple stakeholders, including our customers and state and federal agencies, we have achieved a significant volume of fibre 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.”
