The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating broadband infrastructure development in Nigeria through the collaborative implementation of the country’s Dig Once Policy, a key initiative designed to reduce deployment costs, eliminate unnecessary road excavations and expand nationwide digital connectivity.
The assurance was given during the Second Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum on Developing a Pricing Mechanism and Cost-Based Structure for Sharing Ducts Built Under the Dig Once Policy, held at the Commission’s Annex Office in Mbora, Abuja.
The high-level forum brought together representatives of federal and state government agencies, telecommunications operators, infrastructure companies, industry associations, development partners and other critical stakeholders to review interim findings and contribute to the development of a transparent, equitable and commercially sustainable framework for sharing underground duct infrastructure across Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, the NCC’s Director of Policy, Competition and Economic Analysis, Mr. Ayuba Shuaibu, said the consultation reflects the Commission’s commitment to an open, transparent and inclusive regulatory process that balances the interests of infrastructure owners, network operators, public institutions and consumers.
According to him, the proposed pricing framework is expected to encourage infrastructure sharing, improve asset utilisation, reduce the cost of broadband deployment and accelerate the expansion of telecommunications infrastructure nationwide.
Shuaibu explained that the study seeks to establish a fair and transparent pricing mechanism for underground ducts installed under Nigeria’s Dig Once Policy, which requires telecommunications ducts to be laid during road construction and rehabilitation projects. This approach enables future fibre-optic deployments without repeated road excavations, reducing infrastructure costs and public disruption.
“The Commission remains committed to a transparent, inclusive and consultative process. Our objective is to arrive at a pricing structure that balances the interests of infrastructure providers, access seekers and, ultimately, consumers, while also encouraging continued investment in broadband infrastructure.
“We encourage frank, constructive and solution-oriented contributions that will strengthen the final outcomes of this study,” Shuaibu said.
He noted that all observations and recommendations from stakeholders would be carefully reviewed and incorporated into the final report to ensure the framework remains practical, responsive to industry realities and commercially viable.
Delivering the keynote presentation, Mr. Olugbenga Olabiyi, Managing Director of Dimension Data Limited and consultant on the project, described passive infrastructure—including ducts, conduits, manholes and related facilities—as one of the most capital-intensive components of broadband network deployment globally.
He said infrastructure sharing has become an internationally recognised strategy for reducing deployment costs, improving operational efficiency and accelerating broadband expansion.
Olabiyi noted that Nigeria’s Dig Once Policy presents a unique opportunity to promote coordinated infrastructure deployment, minimise unnecessary road excavations, improve utilisation of existing assets and strengthen broadband penetration across the country.
He stressed that achieving these objectives would require a predictable, transparent and equitable access framework, warning that inconsistent pricing models and unclear access conditions could discourage investment and weaken the benefits of infrastructure sharing.
According to him, successful implementation of the Dig Once Policy could rank among Nigeria’s most significant telecommunications infrastructure reforms, particularly as the country pursues the ambitious targets outlined in the National Broadband Plan.
He cautioned that infrastructure sharing can only succeed where access is governed by fairness, transparency, predictability and effective regulatory oversight.
“Without an equitable access framework, owners of shared infrastructure may inadvertently or deliberately create barriers to entry through excessive pricing, restrictive commercial conditions or discriminatory access practices,” Olabiyi said.
He commended the NCC for initiating the development of a cost-based pricing framework, noting that a transparent pricing methodology would inspire confidence among investors, infrastructure companies, mobile network operators, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), fibre operators and other participants within Nigeria’s communications ecosystem.
During the consultation, stakeholders reviewed the study’s interim findings and made recommendations on pricing methodology, implementation strategies and cost considerations. Discussions centred on ensuring that the framework supports efficient infrastructure deployment while balancing the interests of infrastructure providers, access seekers and end-users.
The consultative forum builds on previous engagements organised by the NCC and reinforces the Commission’s broader commitment to implementing forward-looking regulatory initiatives that promote infrastructure sharing, accelerate broadband rollout and drive Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.
The NCC has reaffirmed its commitment to Nigeria’s Dig Once Policy by developing a transparent cost-based framework for sharing underground ducts, aimed at reducing broadband deployment costs and accelerating nationwide digital connectivity.
Discover more from Ameh News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
