ICT Minster Omobola Johnson
From Benjamin a ameh, Lagos
Telecom industry in Nigeria is witness out and in of operators especially in towers business which fiber optic network company Phase3 Telecom has disclosed that, to date, it has invested over $110m to ensure that broadband is extended to- and reaches both underserved and unserved areas of the country.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, the company’s Director of Engineering Ajibade Momolosho disclosed that between 2013 and 2016, a further $68 million will be invested in broadband development, as the company would be expanding its business frontiers to Accra and Senegal in the next year and half.
Momolosho also stated that the company has so far deployed 4500km of fiber optic cables. In keeping with its vision to be West Africa’s IP backbone, the director maintained that Phase3 Telecom has contributed immensely to the development of the telecommunications industry in Nigeria.
“Five years ago, we didn’t have the kind of infrastructure in place, but phase3 provided the backbone at that time. It was a major contribution. We are targeting expansion of mobile network,” he said.
Momolosho also stated that government needs to be more flexible with its policies to protect young companies. He acknowledged that the present ICT Minster Omobola Johnson had achieved a lot in terms of reducing the cost of federal Right of Way and is currently working with states to connect to the programme. The cost of Right of Way, he disclosed, forms 50 per cent of the cost of deployment.
Momolosho confirmed that this reduction has enabled firms to do more in terms of corporate social responsibility. However, he noted that receiving and renewing licences was still cumbersome due to government bureaucracy which also needs to be worked on, not forgetting the issue of erratic power supply.
In the same view, Nigerian-based Phase3 Telecom has entered into an agreement with Hong Kong Telecom (HKT) through the company’s international division PCCW Global, which will offer Phase3 access to HKT’s international MPLS network. The network currently covers Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Maputo, Johannesburg, Cape Town, as well as other cities.
Mr Stanley Jegede, Phase3 Telecom chief executive officer said “This partnership is a strong endorsement of the quality of the network we have built and a clear step forwards in our mission to connect all Nigerians with each other, and with the rest of the world,”
Jegede added that the deal will enable Phase3 Telecom to expand their business and offer better services.
James Welch, PCCW global vice president and head of sales in emerging economies concluded that it will provide better communication services in Nigeria.
“PCCW Global’s extensive network provides us with an unrivalled offering for corporate and institutional clients looking for a truly global solution, locally. We will continue to expand our West African network, and diversify our business with additional products distributed through our infrastructure.”
The firm is keen to explore new opportunities with Phase3 Telecom, as our collaboration opens up new connectivity in West Africa. We are looking at facilitating improved communications for Nigerian businesses and beyond, thanks to our cost-effective and reliable communications solutions.
