By 
By Chinedu James
Zinox Technologies and Brinks Integrated Solutions have been issued licences as infrastructure companies (InfraCos) by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to establish metropolitan fibre-optic infrastructure in the South East and North West, respectively.
Network rollout by the two companies in the two zones is expected to bridge telecoms infrastructural gaps and deepen broadband penetration that should bring the country closer to the 30% target under the National Broadband Plan (NBP). Broadband penetration is currently 22%, according to a recent report by the NCC.
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More InfraCos Licences
According to the Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, NCC, Mr. Sunday Dare who made this known while speaking at a recent forum held in Lagos, the two firms were approved in December to make the number of InfraCos already licensed four. He also added that three more InfraCos will be approved this month.
In 2015, two InfraCos were licensed by the NCC under the Open Access Model. MainOne was licensed to operate in the South West and HIS for the North Central zone.
InfraCos face challenges
A mix of challenges including issues bordering on right of way (RoW) and rising FOREX, in an industry that is heavily dependent on import, has impacted on the two InfraCos.
“Brinks Integrated Solutions Limited and Zinox Technologies were approved in December for the South East and North West. Out of seven, we have four ready. Before the end of February, the remaining three will also be fully licensed,” said Dare.
“And of course, we also know that MainOne has been working and the other three will join before the end of February,” he added.
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