Ife Ogunfuwa
A multinational technology and networking services and equipment company, Ericsson, has expressed interest in investing in Nigeria’s broadband market.
The team led by the Head of Government and Industry Relations, Ericsson Group, Shitlesi Makkhofane and Peter Olusoji of Ericsson Nigeria, on a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Communications Commission, said the company was ready to deploy broadband in un-served and underserved areas of the country.
Makkhofane stated that Ericsson had studied the Nigerian telecom market and speculated that the vast potential of the market was yet to be fully harnessed.
The Ericsson Group also said it was going to deploy the latest innovative technology to the country, with emphasis on availability, accessibility and affordability of broadband.
The team while at the commission’s head office said they would seek clarifications on licensing requirements for a couple of businesses including type approval procedure for certain equipment because of its interest in exploring the realities of the Internet of Things and 5G networks.
According to the Ericsson team, the company will provide data management services and cybersecurity solutions to enable network interoperability and traceability to check the use of cloned devices that pose threat to security.
However, the Ericsson team expressed concerns on shortage of foreign exchange and its implications for the development of telecommunications infrastructure and market.
The Executive Commissioner (Stakeholder Management), NCC, Mr. Sunday Dare, expressed the commission’s appreciation to the team for the visit as well as its knowledge and interest in the Nigerian telecom ecosystem.
He also expressed delight at the issues raised by the Ericsson team and assured the visitors that the commission would continue to do what was right to attract Foreign Direct Investment for the development of the telecom industry in Nigeria.
Dare promised to convey the interests and concerns of the team to the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta, for management’s consideration and necessary action.
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