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IHS Nigeria, a division of IHS Holding Limited (NYSE: IHS), a prominent entity in shared communications infrastructure globally, has successfully implemented a significant milestone by completing the deployment of over 10,000 kilometers of fiber optic cables across all 36 states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory, the company expressed in an official statement.
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This achievement, facilitated by its subsidiary, Global Independent Connect Limited (GICL), plays a crucial role in advancing the Federal Government’s National Broadband Plan, aiming for a 70% broadband penetration in Nigeria by 2025.
As part of its broader strategy, IHS Nigeria continues to advance Fiber-to-the-Tower (FTTT) technology, enhancing transmission capacity to boost the efficiency of fiber access networks. This initiative aligns with the integration of next-generation technologies, including the facilitation of 5G services. By interconnecting towers, IHS Nigeria extends fiber infrastructure to key metropolitan areas, fostering the delivery of digital services to residences, businesses, and public institutions through collaborative efforts with its partners.
Kazeem Oladepo, Vice President of GICL, emphasized the significance of overcoming challenges posed by limited metropolitan and long-haul fiber optic networks. He highlighted their approach of deploying fiber optic cables on an open access, shared infrastructure model. This ensures the provision of robust and scalable fiber pairs along with alternate ducts, allowing multiple operators to leverage the infrastructure effectively.
His words: “Limited metropolitan and long-haul fiber optic networks continue to be an obstacle to the improvement of existing communication services, and the introduction of emerging technologies and digital services in Nigeria. Our approach to fiber optic cable deployment concentrates on implementing networks on an open access, shared infrastructure basis, providing robust and scalable fiber pairs and alternate ducts to ensure multiple operators can utilize the infrastructure.”
In addition to the fiber optic network, IHS Nigeria has made substantial contributions to mobile network coverage by extending services to over 580 rural communities in Nigeria through its rural telephony program. This initiative addresses the connectivity needs of previously unconnected areas, aligning with Mobile Network Operators’ (MNOs) rollout targets and supporting the Federal Government’s digital inclusion agenda.
Oladepo expressed the commitment of IHS Nigeria to the nation’s digital economy objectives, emphasizing the collaborative achievements made possible through partnerships with customers, state and federal agencies. The completion of this significant volume of fiber optic cable network deployment within three years underscores the potential for accelerated critical infrastructure rollout when key stakeholders align their objectives.
He added: “Through collaborations with multiple stakeholders, including our customers, state and federal agencies, we have achieved a significant volume of fiber optic cable network delivery in under three years. We are committed to supporting the Federal Government’s digital economy objectives, and this milestone demonstrates the possibilities of accelerated critical infrastructure roll-out when key stakeholders align their objectives.”
