Airtel Nigeria CEO: How broadband can ‘change the Nigerian narrative’

The availability of spectrum for mobile broadband will help change the current narrative of activities and businesses in Nigeria, CEO of Airtel Nigeria, Mr Segun Ogunsanya has said.

The Airtel CEO cited key issues of government agencies, legal protection and security of telecoms infrastructure, elimination of multiple taxations and proactive implementation of the Smart States Initiative as “critical factors for accelerating the mobile broadband revolution in Nigeria.”

[su_quote cite=”Segun Ogunsanya, CEO, Airtel Nigeria”]From providing an access pipe and database of customers for advertisers to have prompt access to their markets to giving consumers necessary information they require at the click of a button, Ogunsaya said that, “we are moving from the use of mobile broadband for e-commerce to m-commerce which strongly supports the development of interconnectivity of devices within an ecosystem.[/su_quote]

Ogunsanya gave this perspective as a panel discussant at the Nokia Connect Nigeria ICT forum, themed: “Exploring ICT potential for growth: opportunities and challenges for operators in the Nigerian market through 3G/LTE” held in Lagos.

According to him, the availability of spectrum for mobile broadband will help change the current narrative of a myriad of activities and businesses in the country.

From providing an access pipe and database of customers for advertisers to have prompt access to their markets to giving consumers necessary information they require at the click of a button, Ogunsanya said that, “we are moving from the use of mobile broadband for e-commerce to m-commerce which strongly supports the development of interconnectivity of devices within an ecosystem.”

For this to happen and drive widespread use of interconnectivity, there is need to make mobile devices available and at affordable prices while ensuring transparency in providing access to the networks.

“The future is already here and the time saving benefits in the use of 4G broadband connectivity is enough to encourage rapid 4G/LTE rollout,” Ogunsanya added.

The conference which had several corporate leaders and CEOs drawn across the ICT sector in attendance, was chaired by Chief Leo Stan Eke, Chairman of Zinox Group. Other discussants on the panel were, Mr. Matthew Willsher, CEO Etisalat Nigeria; Mr. Bernard Najm, Head, EMEA Nokia Networks and Mr. Wale Goodluck, Corporate Services Executive, MTN Nigeria.

The Airtel CEO underscored the need for the addition of mobile connectivity and information technology to the list of fundamental human rights critical to national development. This will enhance the attainment of the Vision 2020 goals for mobile broadband penetration and coverage.

Ogunsanya also called for the declaration of telecoms infrastructure as critical national infrastructure noting that legal protection as well as security for telecoms infrastructure is required to deepen mobile broadband penetration and coverage.