MTN sees LTE as key driver of broadband penetration in Nigeria

MTN Nigeria has identified Long Term Evolution (LTE) as key technology that will deepen broadband penetration in the country.

The telco said there would be a sharp rise in broadband penetration by 2017 with the rollout of LTE.

Senior Manager, Transmission Access Planning Network Group at MTN, Mr. Olusegun Salami, made the forecast in Lagos at the third quarter edition of the Nigerian Information and Communications Technology Reporters Association (NITRA) seminar.

The seminar, sponsored by MTN Nigeria was designed to highlight the imperatives of ICT investment in the country.

Salami, who presented the lead paper at the forum, titled: “Foreign Direct Investment-An Impetus To Achieving Ubiquitous Broadband Penetration,” said the massive rollout of LTE broadband technology, coupled with compatible and affordable smartphones would spur broadband connectivity in the next two years.

According to Salami, the actual journey of broadband penetration started in 2007, with the launch of the third generation technology called the 3G which, he said, put an end to the narrowband service being provided through the 2G networks.

He said Nigerians were beginning to see significant improvement in broadband penetration, adding that by 2017, when more service providers must have launched their LTE services, Nigerians would experience faster browsing speed and navigation on the internet.

He stressed that smartphone, which would help drive the use of broadband internet, must be available and affordable.

Salami said: “It is for this reason that MTN decided to come with low pricing smartphone that will enhance increased use of the internet, through mobile devices.”