7 New Internet Service Providers (ISPs) Issued Licences by the NCC

In a bid to revive the troubled telecom industry, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has licensed seven new Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to provide quality Internet services to Nigerians.

NCC Licenses 7 New ISPs https://t.co/04VljckzwL pic.twitter.com/jhhBSnyBpU

— @Jay (@Ugunaj) April 7, 2018

Having licensed so many between January and March this year, the total tally of ISPs in the country has increased to 99. The companies licensed include:

Bava Network and Technologies Limited; Netzplan Resources Limited; Sentient Networks Limited; Standard Communications Limited; Service Aggregation & Distribution Limited; Passage Telecommunications Nig Ltd; and IP Express Ltd.

What are ISPs ?

Charged with connecting customers to customers of other service providers by way of networks, the ISPs provide telecommunications services, including data communications access and telephone connection. Internet Service Providers also play critical roles in providing connectivity to people across cities, rural communities, and under-served communities and are integral to achieving the country’s target of deepening broadband penetration.

Nigeria: The Internet Market Has Enriched by Seven New ISPs in the First Quarter of 2018 – Extensia https://t.co/fu6QigGaxk

— Extensia (@Afridigital) April 6, 2018

The Challenges Faced by ISPs

Over the years, ISPs have been faced with numerous challenges such as unstable power supply, inaccessibility of Forex, multiple taxation/regulations, infrastructure, vandalism as well as high costs and long delays in obtaining right of way.  These challenges have led to a down-slide in the number of active ISPs present in the market and also the quality of services they offer.

According to NCC, between 1996 and 2001, over 170 ISPs were licensed to provide Internet services to Nigerians. But from 2002 to date, the number of ISPs issued licences has dropped drastically and the number of licence renewal also fell heavily.

However, licensing seven new companies in just three months shows a renewed interest in the ISP business. Hopefully, this would help improve broadband penetration and growth in the country.