During the 2nd edition of the West African Telecoms Infrastructure Summit and Exhibition that was held in Lagos, Aminu Maida, who is the Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), urged telecom industry players to consider Infrastructure sharing as a means to enhance service delivery and lower expenses. Maida highlighted the importance of collaboration among government, industry, as well as academia for fostering Innovation and progress, in addition to the shared use of infrastructure.
He believes that investing in telecom infrastructure requires a large amount of capital. Therefore, industry stakeholders should explore options such as public-private partnerships, infrastructure funds, and innovative financing models like Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) to address this challenge. Maida, represented by Mr. Victor Adoga, Head of Next Generation Technology and Standards at the NCC, discussed the industry’s infrastructure challenges and proposed solutions. He highlighted the growing number of mobile subscribers, currently over 219 million, and emphasised the tech-savvy population’s enthusiasm for digital technologies.
Inconsistent service distribution and other issues slow their advancement.
Despite the impressive growth they have experienced over the past few years, they have also faced difficulties along the way. Problems like inconsistent service distribution, infrastructure gaps, as well as uncertain regulations have slowed their advancement at times. However, each obstacle has also opened the door to new opportunities for development and creativity. The head of the NCC suggested that operators should take advantage of emerging technologies like AI to maximise the potential of their networks.
He emphasised the importance of incorporating AI and machine learning for improving network management, predicting maintenance requirements, and elevating customer service using automation and advanced analytics. Another key approach is building intelligent infrastructure to accommodate a wide range of smart city applications as urban areas become more interconnected and technologically advanced, covering everything from traffic control to public safety services. Nigeria has been fully embracing the latest technology advancements worldwide, including the implementation of 5G.
IoT, AI and 6G are expected to improve network operation efficiency.
According to Maida, 5G offers faster speeds, reduced delays, and increased capacity, enabling the development of innovative technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), self-driving cars, modern urban areas, and advanced augmented reality. Technology continues to advance rapidly, with the next generation of internet connectivity, 6G, poised to revolutionise network capabilities. The inclusion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is expected to improve the efficiency of network operations and service provision. Significant funding is needed for the procurement of equipment and allocation of frequency bands.
In addition, he mentioned that through the Internet of Things (IoT), objects in daily life are linked to the Internet, collecting and exchanging information. Maida highlighted how the upcoming 6G revolution is poised to revolutionise various sectors like Agriculture and healthcare, enhancing Productivity and enriching quality of life. He also emphasised that for the telecommunications industry, this change will bring about a substantial surge in interconnected devices and necessitate a re-evaluation of data handling methods.
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Lastly, collaboration between telecom operators can lead to increased innovation and competition in the industry. By working together, operators can leverage each other’s strengths and resources to develop new products and services that meet the evolving needs of customers. This can drive technological advancements and improve the overall quality of service in the telecom sector. Ultimately, collaboration between telecom operators can lead to a more efficient and competitive industry that benefits both operators and their customers.