The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has commenced efforts to reduce repeated road excavation for fibre-optic deployment through the development of a cost-based pricing framework for sharing underground telecommunications ducts under the Federal Government’s Dig Once policy.
The initiative was unveiled at the Second Stakeholders’ Forum on the Development of a Pricing Mechanism and Cost-Based Structure for Sharing Ducts in Abuja.
The Dig Once policy requires that telecommunications ducts be installed whenever roads are constructed or rehabilitated, allowing operators to deploy fibre cables through existing infrastructure instead of repeatedly excavating roads.
Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Nadungu Gagare, said the policy is designed to accelerate broadband infrastructure development, reduce deployment costs and promote efficient use of national resources.
He explained that the policy would only achieve its objectives if supported by a transparent and commercially viable pricing framework that encourages infrastructure sharing among operators.
According to him, the proposed framework would boost investor confidence, reduce duplication of infrastructure and promote sustainable growth in the telecommunications sector.
Director of Policy, Competition and Economic Analysis at the NCC, Ayuba Shuaibu, said consultants were engaged to address the absence of a pricing mechanism for shared ducts, which he described as a major gap in the policy framework.
He noted that stakeholders are currently reviewing recommendations that would ensure equitable access to underground infrastructure while encouraging investment in broadband expansion.
Also speaking, Managing Director of Dimension Data Nigeria, Olugbenga Olabiyi, represented by Akpevwe Egbelughe, said repeated civil engineering works remain one of the major challenges affecting broadband expansion in Nigeria.
He stated that embedding telecommunications ducts during road construction would reduce costs, shorten deployment timelines and minimise disruption to public infrastructure.
Stakeholders say the framework is expected to lower broadband deployment costs, promote infrastructure sharing and accelerate internet penetration across the country.
