Leading telecommunications services provider, Airtel Nigeria, has estimated that speedy execution of the recently approved National Broadband Plan (NNBP) can contribute about N190bn to the country's GDP in 2015.
The Chief Executive Offi cer and Managing Director of Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya who made this known at this year's edition of the Nigerian Telecoms Development Lecture (NITDEL), also assured that the telecoms fi rm has already thrown its full weight behind the immediate implementation of the strategy document.
Ogunsanya said Airtel was committed to partnering with the Federal Government to deliver excellent broadband services and also develop the Nigerian economy.
He described the issuance of the Broadband Plan as a right step in the right direction and assured that the telco is deeply committed to partnering with the Government to implement the plan and facilitate Broadband realisation for Nigeria, in support of the Transformation Agenda of Government.
Beyond policy direction, Ogunsanya also called on the government to focus on driving broadband adoption and utilisation, noting that government's patronage of readily available local applications and solutions will be a great boost just as partnerships with telecoms operators, Information and Communication Technology players and development partners will also help drive utilisation.
"As it concerns broadband adoption and utilisation, there should be Government's affi rmative action targeting the delivery of social and public services over Broadband.
"The zeal applied by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Federal Government in EPayment and Cashless Policy initiatives should also be replicated in driving adoption and utilization by the populace," he said.
He also noted that the implementation requires longterm commitment and signifi – cant action by federal, states and local governments, as well as the executive and legislative arms of government, alongside strong private sector participation.
Ogunsanya, who spoke on the theme, The Nigerian Telecoms Market: Championing the African Cause through Broadband, said Airtel was providing the government with support on different fronts including further expansion of its 3.75G Network footprints to cover even more cities and upgrade of its network to 4G on Long Term Evolution (LTE) as soon as spectrum becomes available.
He added that Airtel was in partnership with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in a bid to make smart phones more affordable for consumers.
