ATCON pushes for new regulations to drive Nigeria’s fibre deployment

The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria has called for fresh regulations to drive fibre broadband deployment in Nigeria.

This body warns that policies designed during the mobile telecoms era may no longer be sufficient to support the country’s growing digital infrastructure ambitions.

ATCON made the call in a statement released on Monday ahead of its upcoming Critical Conversation Forum on Fibre to the Home (FTTH), scheduled to hold on June 30 in Lagos.

According to ATCON, fibre broadband deployment presents a fundamentally different operational and investment model from mobile telecommunications, requiring distinct regulatory frameworks tailored specifically to fixed broadband infrastructure.

ATCON noted that unlike mobile networks that prioritize wireless mobility and coverage, FTTH infrastructure involves delivering high-capacity broadband connectivity directly to homes, offices, commercial centres, schools, and hospitals.

The association warned that the absence of sector-specific regulations for fibre deployment could continue to slow broadband penetration and limit Nigeria’s digital economy potential.

Industry operators, according to ATCON, are currently battling multiple structural challenges, including multiple taxation, high right-of-way charges, approval delays, fibre vandalism, inconsistent state-level policies, and limited access to infrastructure financing.

Other concerns raised by the association include quality assurance issues, poor coordination among ecosystem stakeholders, and sustainability challenges around maintaining fibre infrastructure.

ATCON said these bottlenecks have collectively slowed fibre network expansion nationwide and restricted access to reliable high-speed internet services for millions of Nigerians.

ATCON said the forum comes at a crucial period in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey, as demand for high-speed internet connectivity continues to rise across homes, businesses, schools, hospitals, and public institutions.

ATCON President, Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere, said broadband infrastructure expansion should no longer be viewed solely as a telecommunications issue but as a national economic priority.

According to him, a stronger fibre ecosystem could support the Federal Government’s digital economy agenda, drive smart city initiatives, improve healthcare and education delivery, support SMEs, attract foreign investment, and create employment opportunities.

The group added that achieving meaningful broadband penetration targets would require coordinated action among regulators, policymakers, operators, investors, and all levels of government.

Aside from the aggressive push by telecom operators such as MTN and Airtel, the Nigerian government is also addressing the issue of FTTH as part of a broad national strategy to significantly boost internet access and digital inclusion through a multi-billion dollar infrastructure initiative known as Project BRIDGE.

This initiative aims to lay about 90,000 km of fibre optic cable across the country, creating the largest digital fibre backbone investment in any developing nation to date.

Project BRIDGE is designed as an open-access network providing high-speed, resilient broadband connectivity from urban hubs to remote communities, facilitating universal access to information and communication technology (ICT).