The Nigerian Communications Commission and relevant stakeholders have commenced moves to end the repeated excavation of roads for fibre-optic deployment by developing a cost-based pricing framework for sharing underground telecom ducts under the Federal Government’s Dig Once policy.
The initiative, unveiled at the Second Stakeholders’ Forum on the Consultancy Study for the Development of a Pricing Mechanism and Cost-Based Structure for Sharing Ducts under the Dig Once Policy in Abuja on Wednesday, is expected to lower broadband deployment costs, promote infrastructure sharing and accelerate fibre rollout nationwide.
The Dig Once policy seeks to ensure that telecommunications ducts are installed whenever roads are constructed or rehabilitated, allowing multiple operators to deploy fibre through existing underground infrastructure instead of repeatedly excavating roads.
Speaking at the forum, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Nadungu Gagare, said the initiative formed part of the Federal Government’s efforts to deepen digital infrastructure and improve broadband access.
He said, “The Dig Once Policy remains one of the Federal Government’s strategic interventions for accelerating fibre infrastructure development, reducing the cost of broadband expansion, preventing unnecessary road excavation and promoting efficient use of national resources.
