NCC reviews options for telecom infrastructure coys

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has constituted a committee to review the framework for the licensing of Infrastructure Companies (InfraCo) and recommend sustainable funding options for effective implementation of the proposed national fibre project.

The constitution of the committee was sequel to the requirements of the new Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP 2020-2025) and reports of relevant committees set up by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), which include the InterMinisterial Review Committee on Multiple Taxation on Telecommunications Operators over Right-of-Way (RoW) and the Technical SubCommittee on Right-of-Way for Deepening Broadband Penetration in Nigeria.

A statement by NCC on Sunday said these requirements and reports relating to the imperative of reviewing the INFRACO framework to cater for the delays in take-off, change in the exchange rate, supply chain and other challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"So far, the committee set up by the commission has met with all licensed InfraCos as well as the preferred bidder for the North Central zone," the statement signed by NCC's Director of Public Affairs, Dr Ikechukwu Adinde, said.

It said the committee is also looking at the challenges facing the InfraCo project, the need for accelerated deployment of fibre infrastructure and means of mitigating the exorbitant RoW charges, among others.