Friday, 31 May 2013

FG approves new broadband policy




FG approves new broadband policy
President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday asked the Ministry of Communication Technology to immediately commence implementation of a new national broadband policy for the country.
The new national broadband policy is capable of creating high speed communication network that connects end users at a data transfer speed greater than 256kbit/S.
The policy has drawn out immediate strategic action plan, including transparent cost based price caps, secured a 4-year row waver agreement, as well as mandates the pre-installation of ducts when constructing new roads and buildings.
Others include the production of a GIS-based national fibre infrastructure map and introduction of low cost wireless and satellite solution to hard to reach areas.
Speaking after receiving the report of the Presidential Committee on a National Broadband Strategy and Roadmap at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Jonathan said he was confident that the successful implementation of the National Broadband Strategy and Roadmap with a target of 80 percent nationwide Internet coverage by 2018, will help to positively revolutionise communications in Nigeria.
The report was jointly presented to him by the Minister of Communications Technology, Omobola Johnson, in the presence of the co-chairmen of the committee, Ernest Ndukwe and Jim Ovia.
The committee said it is expected that in the 2013-2018 implementation period a five-fold increase in Internet and broadband penetration will be achieved in the country.
“It is also intended that all state capitals and urban cities will have metro-fibre infrastructure installed within the period”.
The new broadband policy envisaged Internet experience where the user can at the moment access the most demanding content in real time at a maximum speed of 1.5 MIT/S, with strong potentials for upward movement.
Under the new policy, government is expected to provide special protection for critical national ICT infrastructure, promote transparency of pricing and reduction of build out costs through price caps where necessary.
Businessday Newspaper

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