Swaroop advocates new policy direction for broadband service

The Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Airtel Nigeria, Rajan Swaroop, has called on the Federal Government to issue a National Policy on Communications that incorporates governments commitment and resolve towards the development of broadband in the country. In a statement on Friday, Swaroop stated that the present National Policy on Telecommunication issued in 2000, a pre-Broadband era, did not effectively capture the required framework that would boost broadband uptake and development in the country, and therefore, recommended a review of existing guidelines.He stated this during the third West African Information and Communications Technology Congress held in Lagos. Swaroop explained that countries that had recorded monumental success in the area of broadband development and penetration started by initiating favourable policies accompanied by smart regulations. Swaroop stated that countries like Finland, Malaysia, Morocco, Sweden and the United States of America had strong regulations and right policies which enabled successful penetration of broadband in those countries. The Airtel CEO hinted that his company was committed to partnering government to attain the next level of growth for Broadband, and also outlined other strategies that could help develop the telecoms and broadband industry. Swaroop also reiterated the need for the declaration of telecom infrastructure as critical national infrastructure.He advised that there was the need to discourage multiple taxes and fees by states and local governments. Swaroop advocated the pragmatic implementation of policy and regulatory convergence. He stated, "Let there be a merger between the National Broadcasting Commission and the Nigerian Communications Commission, the future is in convergence and it is absolutely necessary for both organisations to come together."
Click here to read full news..