(3G, 4G) Deployment increased by 78.2 percent in Nigeria

The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) says the number of third-generation (3G) and fourth-generation (4G) base transceiver stations (BTS) deployment in the country increased by 78.2 percent from 30,000 to 53,460 in the last five years.

The commission head statement said fiber optic transmission cables expanded by 16.44 percent from 47,000km to 54,725km within the same period. The report quoted Umar Danbatta, executive vice-Chairman of NCC, says the increase in telecom towers and fibre optic transmission cables has improved broadband and telecoms service delivery to Nigerians. Danbatta said the NCC’s effective regulation has resulted in increased infrastructure deployment by telecoms operators, which helped improve broadband penetration and other related service delivery in the telecoms industry.

“The commission will continue to put in its best in the discharge of its mandates especially in facilitating the deployment of the broad band which is central to diversifying the Nigeria economy and national development.”

At the same time, they are noting that licensed infrastructure companies (infraCos) are also expected to add 38,296km optic fibre cables when they commence full operations. It will propel the service delivery of affordable and faster internet services to Nigerians. However, this new development seeing the country’s broadband penetration increase and the ongoing fibre optics project expected to begin the entire process in the coming months, of course, a welcoming report for the country’s digital transformation mantra. However, different sectors under the Nigerian economy, such as businesses that rely heavily on faster internet access and akin, expand their service, particularly those in densely populated areas and remote areas. The payment space e-commerce platforms and the iGaming industry are no exception, will be of great benefit in the recent increased deployment of 3G and 4G service and users.

However, many Nigerians are going online during the lockdown, and businesses were offering digital services to meet customers’ needs, and the gaming industry is no exception. The 3G and 4G adoption penetration and the ongoing fibre optic project, if completed we will see a drop in the internet data bundle price and capture those in remote and rural areas. More access to faster and affordable internet in Nigeria is exciting news to its digital economy push. The iGaming sector is one industry that is of great benefit to internet access; during a related lockdown, the industry experienced tremendous traction of engagement from bettors; often, those who are retail centric-customers turn to iGaming betting and gambling.

Meanwhile, the COVID-19 era has led millions of Africans to go online and use various mobile services ranging from mobile payment, video conferencing, e-commerce to mobile betting. And as propel much business, which on a norm, it could take years for them to accelerate their digital service, but within months, it made companies raise their online presence. The same can be said that it has fast track numerous sectors in the digital service offering. However, late last year in the Q3, the Nigerian Communication Commission had reported the Nigeria broadband penetration hits 45.43 percent and has supported growth in numerous sectors in the delivery of service to different industries such as the financial sectors, e-commerce amongst others.

As mentioned earlier it has also enabled the provision of digital services to various sectors of the economy, especially during the lockdown, Nigeria’s iGaming markets experienced upward growth. Simultaneously online mobile betting was invoked thanks to the competitive mobile market landscape and the recent price reduction in the internet data bundle which could drop further by the time the ongoing fibre optic is complete, which will make data even more affordable for the average Nigerian population.

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