Leading broadband infrastructure company, MainOne has launched its “Digital Lagos: Broadband for All” campaign which is aimed at promoting the digital transformation of Lagos, through the deployment of open-access broadband infrastructure across the state.
The Digital Lagos project will cover 2,000 kilometers of fiber with potentials to granting access to speed fiber connectivity to about 10.8 million individuals, businesses and government institutions located within one kilometer of fiber distance and another 12.5 million within five kilometers. This is in addition to the company’s existing 700 kilometer network.
The company says it is keen to collaborate with the Lagos state government, and all other relevant stakeholders to build a Digital Lagos. She said this will enable citizens from all walks of life realise the benefits of broad, sustainable economic growth, modernised education, health and other services delivery, and improved quality of life.
“MainOne is pleased to have the opportunity to present its plan for Digital Lagos, a proven path to ubiquitous broadband connectivity. This plan will involve the investment by MainOne of over 25 billion Naira over the next two-three years, to develop critical fibre optic infrastructure to enable broadband services across Lagos state,” Funke Opeke, CEO, MainOne, told journalists.
Affirming the company’s commitment to promote digital transformation, she noted that the Digital Lagos initiative is part of the company’s resulting network, given its status as the licensed InfraCo for Lagos zone. In 2015, MainOne obtained InfraCo license from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for the ubiquitous deployment of broadband infrastructure.
The company has reportedly pioneered investments in critical internet-enabling infrastructure across West Africa. To date, the firm has invested over N120 billion funded by leading African banks, and has proven its capabilities in expanding and densifying localised fiber networks in neighbouring Ogun and Edo states by deploying almost 1000kms of fibre in partnership with Facebook to expand broadband access and connect government institutions and other areas of interest.
The CEO HIP Consult, a consulting company for the project, Judah Levine, said MainOne’s Digital Lagos is critical infrastructure for digital economy, stressing that it is the ultimate enabler of broadband connectivity. He added that the initial investment could yield up to N140 billion by 2025 due to the economic value the infrastructure would bring to the country.
He noted that the resulting network will provide connectivity to critical state institutions, and can easily be extended to other locations, including 94 percent of 1,259 health centres; 97 percent of 3,046 known schools and universities, and a host of others.
Lagos is Nigeria’s economic hub and has enormous growth potential, hence, digitisation is a welcome development to facilitate operations in several areas in day-to-day activities of residents. Sufficiently deployed fiber and other broadband infrastructure will enhance digital transformation, and connectivity will transform a variety of sectors from government to schools, financial sector, healthcare facilities, security and more.
Given the size of the market and the huge consumer scale, the firm is deploying open-access fibre optic networks in all local government areas (LGAs), business districts, 1,000+ health centres, 3,000+ schools, 300+ government agencies, 10,000 CCTV locations and public Wi-Fi hotspots.
The digitisation of Lagos will accelerate job creation and economic growth, as well as support the future of the state as a 21st century mega-city. About 1,000km of the optic fibre infrastructure is expected to be ready in the next 12 months.
