Nokia Networks (NNs), world’s specialist in mobile broadband, has declared its willingness to enable Nigeria achieve the National Broadband plan.
Nokia Networks confirmed this at its telecom seminar, Connect Nigeria: Exploring ICT Potential for Growth, attended by about 150 industry specialists comprising of IT companies, the government, Nokia Networks and operators.
Nokia Networks is a global Data Networking and Telecommunications Equipment Company (a subsidiary of Nokia Corporation) founded in 2007, and currently has its headquarters in Espoo, Finland.
The National Broadband plan aims at increasing broadband dispersion from 2013’s 6% to 30% come 2018. Besides, this plan aims at covering 80% of Nigerian population with LTE and 3G services and provide a minimum download speed of 1.5 Mbps.
According to a recent report from GSMA, Nigeria is a fast developing economy and presents an opportunity for innovation and investments in telecom networks.
Speaking at the seminar, Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Eugene Juwah, said that the Nokia Networks’ seminar has inspired various telecom industries on how to achieve the National Broadband Plan, which seeks to extend mobile broadband penetration in the country.
“The government is committed to enabling the operators to take the quality and coverage of mobile broadband services to a new level for the benefit of greater socio-economic development. We are confident that Nokia Networks’ commitment and advanced 2G, 3G and 4G mobile broadband technologies will significantly contribute in providing high quality mobile broadband services in our country on a par with leading services around the world,“ he added.
Also speaking, Vice President and Head of Middle East and Africa, Nokia Networks, Bernard Najm said that Nigeria is a priority nation for Nokia Networks in Africa, adding that they are committed to offer Nigerian operators with advanced 2G, 3G, and 4G technologies with global skills in services to establish and run cost proficiently.
He noted that Nigeria’s mobile broadband infrastructure needs to be reinforced to improve networks penetration and speed all over the nation.
Dr. Sam Nwosu, Nokia Networks’ Country Director, said that Nigeria should enhance infrastructural development to boost investments by telecom operators, adding that infrastructural challenges must be addressed to eliminate other administrative logjams affecting network operators.
“Future investments will focus on further building on our strong position in mobile broadband and related service, and strengthening our leadership position in next-generation network technologies. Our global experts invent the new capabilities our customers need in their networks. We provide the world’s most efficient mobile networks, the intelligence to maximize the value of those networks, and services to make it all seamlessly,” he said.
