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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has encouraged telecom companies to invest more in renewable energy. This is to help meet the growing demand for connectivity and improve network performance, especially with the rollout of 5G technology.
Speaking at this year’s World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) event in Abuja, NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, emphasized the importance of using sustainable power solutions in the telecom sector. Danbatta, who was represented by NCC’s Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Adeleke Adewolu, highlighted the commission’s commitment to protecting consumers. He said that the NCC aims to help consumers adjust to the rising costs of living, which have been affected by the global energy crisis.
Danbatta explained that telecom companies are major energy consumers worldwide, as they compete to provide faster networks. This competition leads to high energy consumption. He stressed that it’s crucial for telecom operators to reconsider their operations and find ways to reduce their environmental impact. Danbatta pointed out that improving energy efficiency could cut operating costs by up to 20% for telecom companies.
The NCC boss also mentioned that the commission has been active in addressing the environmental issues caused by the telecom industry’s use of fossil fuels. To reduce the impact of climate change, Danbatta called for the use of energy-efficient technologies, such as solar-powered cells and hybrid systems. These innovations could lower both capital and operational costs, ultimately making services more affordable for consumers.
“Switching to renewable energy would help lower telecom companies’ operational costs, particularly by reducing their reliance on expensive diesel,” said Danbatta. He added that the competition the NCC fosters among telecom companies could result in savings on fuel, which would then be passed on to consumers in the form of lower prices.
Danbatta also urged telecom operators and equipment manufacturers to adopt smart energy solutions in line with international standards. This would improve energy efficiency, performance, and safety while reducing environmental impact.
Adewolu, in his comments, reaffirmed the NCC’s focus on creating sustainable service models that benefit consumers. He pointed out that the Nigerian telecom sector, which serves over 226 million voice customers and more than 156 million internet customers as of January 2023, plays a vital role in areas like social interaction, healthcare, education, and banking. As consumer demand continues to rise, telecom operators must expand their networks, especially in rural areas and congested urban areas. Technologies like 5G will also require additional infrastructure.
The NCC’s call for renewable energy adoption aims to ensure that the telecom industry grows in an environmentally responsible way while keeping services affordable for consumers.
