The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in collaboration with industry players is deploying the Rural Technology Solution to help Nigerians that have been deprived of Nigeria’s mobile telephony revolution.
Working together with stakeholders, the NCC has released a pilot scheme of the Rural Technology Solution in three locations in the country to improve the situation.
Speaking at the 84th Edition of Telecom Consumer Parliament in Abuja, Evecutive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta said about 40 million Nigerians across the country- especially in the rural areas- are still deprived of enjoying the country’s mobile telephony revolution.
He added that instead of following the present mechanism which would take over 20 years to achieve, the problem should be addressed headlong.
According to Danbatta, “The NCC in partnership with stakeholders deployed base transceivers to stations in those areas that do not have access in order to bridge access gaps.
“We are doing this at the rate of about 10 per annum, and going by the number of access gaps, it is going to take the NCC close to 20 years to close all access gaps.
“Therefore, there is need to find ingenious ways to close these gaps within shortest period of time.
“And fortunately, technology presents itself with various options in solving this problem in shorter time.”
He continued that with the help of the country’s telecom operators who possess the needed technology, the rural technology solution could be deployed beyond the pilot phase, bridging the gap in 3-4 years.
By:ClaraDoku/techvoiceafrica.com
