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Message: [QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 81343, member: 636"] Telcos are done hunkering down and are ready to spend big. The Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria, through its President Tony Emoekpere, announced a shift from the previous year's consolidation into a major expansion phase for the industry. He cited growing confidence from collaborative work between carriers, the regulator Nigerian Communications Commission, and the government, specifically mentioning efforts by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy under Bosun Tijani. Key projects fueling optimism include a planned national fibre backbone, the rural connectivity push called Project 774, and digital skills training initiatives. The previous year set the stage with operators focusing on network upgrades and adapting to harsh economic conditions like high energy costs and foreign exchange issues. Emoekpere noted the industry still achieved a key milestone as broadband penetration passed fifty percent, driven by heavy data use for services like digital payments and streaming. The NCC helped maintain investor trust through clear reporting and enforcing service standards. Now, the focus turns to executing projects faster and on a larger scale to meet demand from fintech and artificial intelligence. Success in this expansion, however, hinges on government action to officially designate telecom equipment as critical national infrastructure, which would better protect fibre cables and towers. Emoekpere also stressed the need to streamline right-of-way approvals and cut down multiple taxes. The association itself plans to push for open-access networks and fair pricing while supporting local operators. With steady regulations and practical policies, the sector is positioned for a period of accelerated growth for Nigeria's digital economy. [/QUOTE]

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