Phase3 Telecoms, West Africa’s largest independent fibre infrastructure and telecommunications services provider, is planning to begin the deployment of aerial fiber optic infrastructure from Kano State in Nigeria to Gazaoua in the Republic of Niger. Telecommunications operators in the country are stepping up investments in cross-border Internet infrastructure, in a move specifically geared towards meeting the rising demand for enterprise communications services as Africa gradually becomes an economic hub.
In view of this, many global and regional companies are expanding their presence across the continent, and thus seeking better and efficient communications services to link offices and processes. The fibre optic network however, which will run from Kano state through Katsina state before arriving at Gazaoua will be 228 kilometres long and is expected to be completed in the coming months.
The Republic of Niger is a landlocked country that borders seven countries; Algeria, Republic of Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Libya, Mali, and Nigeria. The lack of backbone infrastructure between the Republic of Niger and its neighbours leaves Niger unable to fully enjoy the broadband advantage to its fullest. With one of the lowest internet penetration rates in West Africa, Republic of Niger will now have the opportunity to leverage the huge bandwidth capacity which is available at the Nigerian coast in Lagos through the Phase3 telecom aerial fiber network.
This development will also widen the market for under-sea cable owners in Nigeria while enhancing broadband development in the Republic of Niger. This project will further enhance and solidify the objectives behind the Nigeria – Niger Joint Commission (NNJC) and the partnership/relationship between the two countries. Stanley Jegede, chief executive officer, Phase3 Telecom, said the opportunities that the internet delivers are critical to the acceleration of sustainable socio-economic inclusion and growth for the Republic of Niger.
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As this will open doors to new opportunities for residents to enjoy the benefits of the internet such as being able to work from the comforts of their home or study online. Businesses in this region will also be better positioned to use the internet to boost productivity, offer better service, connect with customers faster and work anywhere at reduced costs. “Today, easier and reliable access to information from anywhere drives development thus; this deployment is part of our wider West Africa roll out plan to deliver regional connectivity through a single network across the region.
“It is a confirmation of our commitment to ensure that the digital divide diminishes, delivering connectivity to new urban and rural areas”. “I believe that this mile stone is a positive step towards sustainable economic development in West Africa. With the support we have received thus far from both the governments of the Republic of Niger and Nigeria; we are confident that this will mark the first phase in a long term partnership and we look forward to the dividends West Africa as a whole and in particular the Republic of Niger will benefit from the integration of this telecommunication infrastructure”, Jegede concludes.
