According to Tijani, the new telecom towers will complement the ongoing deployment of 90,000 kilometers of fiber-optic cables across the country. He emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring that all Nigerians, especially those in underserved areas, have meaningful access to high-quality telecommunication services.
Abuja, Nigeria – The Federal Government has announced plans to build 7,000 telecom towers across rural areas to improve connectivity and bridge the digital divide.
The Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, disclosed this on Thursday while briefing State House correspondents in Abuja. He revealed that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had approved the construction as part of a broader strategy to enhance digital inclusion nationwide.
Expanding Telecom Infrastructure
According to Tijani, the new telecom towers will complement the ongoing deployment of 90,000 kilometers of fiber-optic cables across the country. He emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring that all Nigerians, especially those in underserved areas, have meaningful access to high-quality telecommunication services.
“The priority for this government is meaningful access,” Tijani said. “We don’t want our people to just have access to telecommunication services; we want it to be of high quality.”
He further noted that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is working to improve not just service quality but also the overall user experience.
Justification for Tariff Increase
Addressing concerns over the recently approved telecom tariff hike, Tijani explained that the decision was necessary to maintain the sustainability of telecom operators and ensure continued access to services.
He described the tariff adjustment as a difficult but essential move to balance the interests of consumers, businesses, and the economy. According to the minister, the telecom sector employs nearly half a million Nigerians directly and indirectly, making it crucial to protect its stability.
“We have to ensure that when telecom companies invest, we can keep them afloat,” Tijani stated. “This is a sector that employs close to half a million people in this country, including the value chain.”
KPMG Study Informed Tariff Adjustment
Tijani disclosed that the government had commissioned a study by global consulting firm KPMG to determine the optimal tariff adjustments. Based on the findings, the government approved a 50% tariff increase.
He added that failing to adjust tariffs could have led to job losses in the sector, which would have negatively impacted the economy.
Impact of Tariff Increase
Following the tariff adjustment, telecom operators, including MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile, have begun implementing new pricing structures. The cost of mobile data has risen by at least 10%, while SMS charges have increased from N4.00 to N6.00, representing a 50% hike.
Despite the cost increase, Tijani reiterated that the government’s primary objective is to ensure that Nigerians continue to have access to affordable and high-quality telecom services.
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