The Pros and Cons of Internet Connectivity in Nigeria

Nigeria’s Prospects with the New 90,000 km Terrestrial Fibre Plan and Targeted 25Mbps Broadband Download Speed

The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy in Nigeria, Dr Bosun Tijani is planning to extend its terrestrial fibre infrastructure by adding 90,000 kilometers

This increases in broadband penetration is an extensive one targeted to alter the digital state of the country. This could be the rewrite the entire Internet access in Nigeria defining new businesses and huge economic impact. How will Nigeria be able to achieve this and deliver a new data download speed of 25Mbps.

The Current Broadband Scenery, Connectivity Improvement, Access to the Internet, and limitation in Nigeria

Currently, the nation average speed for internet and broadband services is less than 25Mbps. However, the country has faced several challenges in the course of boosting its broadband uptake. These include:

Limited infrastructure in terms of the insufficient coverage of the existing fibre optic network over the large geographic area and the issue of population density

High costs of internet services, which make it largely unaffordable to many Nigerians, thereby affecting access

The large urban-rural divide, where urban areas enjoy better broadband coverage and rural areas have limited infrastructure.

Nigeria has traditionally been unable to offer its people adequate internet access, especially in the rural and underserved areas.

These latest available statistics present internet and broadband penetration as that with critical challenges evident significantly also in urban-rural disparities.

The present average speed of broadband internet in Nigeria is low, compared to the global standards, thus affecting productivity, digital literacy and economic growth.

The Effects of 90,000 km Terrestrial Fiber Plan:

The Nigerian Broadband landscape could be transformed by addition terrestrial fiber of 90,000 kilometers in the following important ways:

1. Enhanced Infrastructure and Connectivity

• Expanded Coverage: There will be more broadband spread to more regions, such as the poorly covered rural and semi-urban areas, through the dense fiber network. The expansion of terrestrial fibers covering 90,000 kilometers would enhance backbone infrastructure (may) for quick internet speed.
• Increased Reliability: Optic fibres offer better quality internet links than DSL or Microwave or satellite links for instance that is why it has high speed reliability links leading to the provision of a more reliable and faster internet connections compared to other technologies.

Anticipated Results:

• Better fiber infrastructure will allow for higher speed broadband services, which are more reliable as well.
• Through increased connections it will be possible to improved health care provision(e-health/Telemedicine), access to educational materials faster which could also be facilitated by quicker downloading of e-books or reading text online
• Equally important is creating linkages necessary for running online shops hence creating jobs which lead to poverty reduction.

2. Realizing 25Mbps Data Download in Every Household and Increasing the Speed of Internet Services

Present Position and Challenges:

• Internet connectivity is a key aspect of households in Nigeria and other parts of the world. However, the average household internet speed in the country does not meet this target and it hampers things like streaming, online education, remote work, as well as other internet dependent tasks.
• Additionally, high costs as well as insufficient infrastructure are the main obstacles towards having increased broadband speeds. Typically. this is also dependent on high cost of Right of Way from state governments

The effect of the Enhanced Network Penetration Strategy:

• Higher Speeds: The goal of 25Mbps broadband speed for households is ambitious but achievable with the new fibre infrastructure. With better infrastructure, the potential for increasing data download speeds beyond the current average of 25Mbps becomes feasible. Fibre optic technology can support much higher speeds, up to 1Gbps or more, which will cater to future demand.
• More rapid Speeds: By applying the new fiber optic infrastructure; the 25Mbps data download target is yet to be met but it is totally possible. When the infrastructure is improved there will be the potential of increasing data download speeds above 25Mbps which is the current targets in homes today. Future demand for much faster speed for example 1Gbps and beyond is handled by fiber optic technology
• Better Latency: This target speed will ensure more streamlined operations. A more improved latency which is achievable via the Fibre Optic last mile will lead to improvement in the performance of internet services, particularly for applications that require real-time data processing such as video conferencing and online gaming.

Anticipated Goals:

• Households Speeds of 25Mbps in the homes imply that few internet-related activities will be interfered with and quality will be great.
• The improved broadband rates, will lead to new enterprises which will increase their interest in using computers to do various things like working on some projects quickly thereby saving money among others hence improving productivity and innovation.

3. Economic Expansion, Associated Merits, and Digital Economy

Present Position and Challenges:

• Poor infrastructure and delay in speed of internet provision are hindrances to growth of Nigeria’s digital economy.
• For growth and innovation, the technology industry requires scalable operations and strong internet connectivity.

Effects of the Dual Strategies:

• Economic Growth: Enhanced internet access could jumpstart economic activities, mainly in the tech and digital fields. It fosters investment attraction and boost to the establishment of both start-ups as well as technology hubs.
• Digital Economy: With a comprehensive national fibre backbone as well as the attainment of universal broadband goals, this forms a strong base for digital economy.
• Businesses and SME’s: Business community, especially those involved in a new business or small and medium scale enterprises, will gain from a reduction in their expenses and better delivery of service, further leading to an enhanced competitiveness and innovation.

Expected Outcomes:

• This would motivate more foreign investments into technology sector due to its enhanced broadband infrastructure, thereby leading to job creation as well as other economic activities.
• There is a contribution to the growth of the Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which will be boosted significantly hence digital economy going global is not improbable.

4. Social Effectiveness and Standard of Living

Present Position and Challenges:

• Limited internet access and slow speeds affect educational opportunities, healthcare delivery, and overall quality of life.
• Qualities are defected since there is a sizeable number of online platforms available for most Nigeria.

Impact of the Initiatives:

• Educational Advancements will be improved by better broadband, which is very crucial in rural areas as it enhances online learning and access to educational resources.
• Telemedicine services could be more effectively implemented if there are reliable and fast internet connections.
• Widespread availability of improved internet access and speeds would mean that information would be accessed across the entire country hence it has the potential to catalyse growth in other sectors of the economy.
• Online education platforms, and other digital services will help rural communities and improve quality of life as well Telemedicine/e-health.

Expected Outcomes:

• High-speed internet access will enable Nigerians to participate in the digital economy and access critical services.
• The general quality of life will experience an upsurge following the fact that more opportunities and services can be obtained from the internet.

5. Competitive Market and Pricing

• Decreased Costs: Having more infrastructure leads to the introduction of competition that may lower the price of web services ensuring that divers providers make use of the fiber infrastructure network system leading to cheaper broadband plans.
• Service Innovation: When Internet Service Providers have better infrastructure, they are able to provide new additional services customers inclusive of value-added services and better pricing that enhances complete satisfaction.

6. Challenges and Considerations

Implementation and Maintenance:

• Effective implementation and maintenance of the new infrastructure are crucial to achieve success in these initiatives.
• Challenges that can be faced may include lack of financial resources, poor technical skills among personnel involved or inadequate safety measures taken either during design or construction which poses risks still related to crime prevention in the neighbourhood. Also, Right of Way still poses a great blockage to achieving penetration.
• Substantial investment in funds and technical ability is needed for establishing and preserving such a vast infrastructure. It is pivotal to remember about timely and high-quality realization of this project. Though the experience does exist from within the Telecommunications sector, there is need to incorporate proper duct infrastructure using bigger channels or alternatively through aerial fibre. Companies such as MTNN, Mainone, Airtel, Vobiss Gridworx, Cedarview, WTES, FiberOne, WIOCC etc. are leaders in the infrastructure space.

Regulatory and Policy Support:

• The technological breakthroughs can be a success if the right regulatory and policy structures are put in place. The establishment and enduring operation of the fibre infrastructure is going to require the government’s guiding principles as well as supportive laws.
• Obstacles crossing will require collective efforts involving the state, non-government sector and overseas colleagues in the industry to provide a more concerted efforts in creating a robust infrastructure for effective Broadband penetration.

Affordability and Accessibility

• There is the need to make sure the improved infrastructure will bring about services that are affordable across all social economic groups.

Conclusion

The new plan constitutes a revolution for Nigerian digital space through the installation of a 90,000 km terrestrial fibre across the federation and eventually galvanises an increase in data download speed to 25Mbps. There are many economic, social and development prospects awaiting Nigeria if it can step up its broadband penetration game through well-connectedness and increased internet rates.

While the expansion of this infrastructure could well lead to faster speeds as well as more dependable internet connection among citizens; as well as bridging that digital divide and nurturing economic growth plus social welfare at large levels, the success of its implementation coupled with handling related problems will be very important when it comes to achieving these benefits. Nigeria could become an African digital innovation and economic growth leader if it implements these initiatives effectively and receives enough support for the same.