The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has stepped up efforts to make broadband deployment more affordable by developing a fair pricing framework for sharing underground telecom infrastructure across the country.
The initiative was unveiled at the Second Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum held at the NCC Annex Office, Mbora, Abuja, where government agencies, telecommunications operators, infrastructure companies, industry associations and development partners met to review proposals for implementing Nigeria’s Dig Once Policy.
The proposed framework is expected to establish a transparent and cost-based pricing mechanism for sharing underground ducts installed during road construction and rehabilitation projects, reducing the need for repeated road excavations when laying fibre optic cables.
Speaking at the forum, the NCC’s Director of Policy, Competition and Economic Analysis, Ayuba Shuaibu, said the engagement reflects the Commission’s commitment to an open, transparent and inclusive regulatory process that considers the interests of infrastructure providers, network operators, government institutions and consumers.
He explained that the framework would encourage greater infrastructure sharing, improve the utilisation of existing assets, reduce the cost of broadband deployment and accelerate the expansion of telecommunications services across Nigeria.
Shuaibu noted that the study is aimed at creating a practical pricing model for underground ducts built under the Dig Once Policy, a strategy designed to simplify future fibre optic installations while protecting newly constructed roads from repeated excavation.
“The Commission remains committed to a transparent, inclusive and consultative process. Our objective is to arrive at a pricing structure that balances the interests of infrastructure providers, access seekers and, ultimately, consumers, while also encouraging continued investment in broadband infrastructure. We encourage frank, constructive and solution-oriented contributions that will strengthen the final outcomes of this study,” he said.
He added that all observations and recommendations from stakeholders would be reviewed and incorporated into the final report to ensure the framework is practical, commercially sustainable and responsive to the realities of Nigeria’s telecommunications industry.
