Rural communities to get additional 1000 base transceiver stations

W’Bank seeks $400b investment for universal broadband

As part of the effort to boost connectivity in the country, especially in rural areas, the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) has revealed plans to build an additional 1000 base transceiver stations (BTS) in rural communities. USPF is expected to complete deployment by 2030 in collaboration with development partners.

The Secretary of USPF, Yomi Arowosafe, who disclosed this in Lagos, said to avoid delay, there would be sensitisation at both local and state government levels, at least, once a quarter.

To ensure that larger hinterland populations get connectivity, Arowosafe said USPF will explore available options of partnerships and collaborations with OEM manufacturers to support the usage of end-user devices in rural unserved and underserved communities through affordable mobile devices.   

The additional 1000 BTS by USPF is outside the recently announced 7000 BTS planned by the Federal Government last month. Recall that a report by the Policy Competition and Economic Analysis Department of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) showed that in industry infrastructural development, a substantial telecoms infrastructure deployment was recorded last year by MNOs in 2022. These include a total of 34,862 towers; 127,294 BTS; 289,270.48km microwave; 125 gateways; and 96,198 km (terrestrial fiber & submarine cable) fibre optics deployment.

Further, Arowosafe disclosed that Nigeria has closed its connectivity gap by 57.97 per cent between 2013 and 2024. The number of unconnected clusters, areas with little to no network services, has fallen from 207 to 87, benefiting 13.8 million people.

USPF said in 2013, the number of people living in unserved and underserved areas amounted to 36.8 million and has fallen to 23 million. Arowosafe emphasised the need to close this gap, saying it is crucial to ensuring connectivity for all.

At the telecoms forum, hosted by USPF Arowosafe commended the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (UK FCDO), for their collaboration with the Nigerian government to deepen rural connectivity for the socio-economic development of the country.

Arowosafe said the engagement reflected the USPF’s shared vision and commitment to expanding inclusive connectivity and that the presence of all other stakeholders at the event underscored the vital role of collaboration in achieving the goal. He said the theme of this workshop, ‘Fostering Connectivity in Unserved and Underserved Communities: Collaborating for Sustainable Growth’, highlighted the government’s dedication to bridging the digital divide, in alignment with NCC’s Strategic Focus Areas, the Ministry’s Strategic Blueprint and Presidential Priority Areas.

“Together, we have the power to create sustainable and inclusive pathways to ensure no community is left behind. Achieving this requires strong partnerships among government, private sector, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), development partners and community leaders. By sharing insights and resources, we can design tailored solutions that address both immediate and long-term connectivity challenges,” he said.

IN a related development, the over two billion people that are still currently offline, about $400 billion in investments will be required to provide universal broadband access by 2030.

This is according to the World Bank, which called for strategic collaboration between the public and private sectors, noting that neither can shoulder the financial burden alone.

In a blog post shared on its official X account at the weekend, the World Bank highlighted the widening digital divide, noting that 2.6 billion people were still offline in 2023.

The global lender noted that while digitalisation is transforming industries and societies, low-income countries like Nigeria risk falling further behind without urgent action to improve Internet infrastructure.

It highlighted the role of the World Bank’s Digital Transformation team, which works with governments in developing countries to strengthen digital economies and governance.

The World Bank stated: “Achieving universal broadband access will require over $400 billion by 2030, and neither the public nor the private sector can do this alone. Governments need to make bold reforms, and the private sector can reduce costs and risks and increase efficiency and innovation.”

The financial body also pointed out that beyond infrastructure, digital skills, data protection, and cybersecurity were critical for ensuring an inclusive and secure digital future.

It urged strong public-private partnerships to accelerate Internet adoption and create opportunities for businesses and individuals in developing economies.
The World Bank’s call for increased investment comes as artificial intelligence and data-driven technologies reshape global economies, deepening concerns that millions of people without Internet access or digital skills could be left behind.

The organisation emphasised that boosting digital inclusion requires not only expanding broadband networks but also making Internet access affordable and reliable.

As global demand for connectivity grows, the World Bank warned that failing to act now could widen inequality, limiting economic opportunities for millions.
The World Bank urged policymakers and investors to prioritise digital infrastructure and policy frameworks that will enable universal broadband access in the coming years.