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The Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has raised concerns about the frequent cuts to fibre cables, which are a major challenge to the growth of Nigeria’s telecom sector. ATCON is urging the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to take more proactive steps to address these disruptions, which include submarine, metro, and terrestrial fibre cuts.
Tony Emoekpere, ATCON’s president, spoke at the first edition of the association’s Critical Conversation Breakfast Meeting in Lagos. He said that these fibre cuts, often caused by government and private contractors, poor planning, and natural factors, are becoming a recurring problem that impacts telecom operators’ costs and services. Operators have to spend significant amounts fixing these issues, which affects their operations and increases expenses.
Emoekpere recalled a recent submarine fibre cut that disrupted services not just in Nigeria but also in other parts of Africa. He stressed the importance of resolving these issues to help the telecom sector reach its full potential. The telecom industry already contributes over 14 percent to Nigeria’s GDP, and reducing disruptions could further boost its growth.
One of the solutions Emoekpere proposed was to ensure that fibre ducts are included whenever new roads are being built. He also called for the full implementation of the Nigeria National Broadband Plan 2020-2025, which suggests that the NCC appoint a desk officer in each state to manage fibre networks and prevent disruptions during road construction.
He emphasized the need for better cooperation between telecom operators, government agencies, and road contractors to minimize the damage caused by fibre cuts. He also recommended that telecom infrastructure be declared Critical National Infrastructure (CNI), which would offer greater protection against disruptions. Emoekpere further suggested that a “Dig Once Policy” should be adopted to ensure that fibre cables are laid without damaging those of other operators.
Additionally, Emoekpere called for increased awareness about the importance of fibre cables and the negative impact of cutting them. He said there should be more training for contractors involved in roadworks to reduce these disruptions. He also proposed creating a database of government agencies responsible for road approvals, so telecom companies know who to work with during construction projects.
Lekan Balogun, CEO of NetAccess, also spoke at the event and agreed with Emoekpere’s points. He listed the main causes of fibre cuts as being government and private contractors, human error, poor planning, and natural factors. Balogun emphasized the importance of continuous communication between telecom operators, government, and developers to find long-term solutions. He also suggested that using more durable materials like metals instead of plastics for fibre cables could help protect them from damage.
In conclusion, the discussions highlighted the need for a joint effort to tackle the problem of fibre cable cuts in Nigeria. ATCON’s proposed solutions aim to reduce the financial burden on telecom operators and create a more reliable telecom infrastructure to meet the growing demand for connectivity across the country.
