NCC Moves to Cut Broadband Costs Through Dig Once Policy

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has intensified efforts to reduce the cost of broadband deployment by advancing the implementation of the Federal Government’s Dig Once Policy.

The commission said the initiative would encourage infrastructure sharing, eliminate unnecessary road excavations and accelerate the expansion of broadband services across the country.

The commitment was reaffirmed at the Second Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum on the Development of a Pricing Mechanism and Cost-Based Structure for Sharing Ducts Built Under the Dig Once Policy, held at the NCC Annex Office in Mbora, Abuja.

The forum attracted representatives of federal and state government agencies, telecommunications operators, infrastructure companies, industry associations, development partners and other stakeholders to review the interim findings of an ongoing study and make contributions towards a transparent pricing framework for sharing underground telecommunications ducts.

Speaking at the event, the NCC’s Director of Policy, Competition and Economic Analysis, Ayuba Shuaibu, said the engagement reflected the commission’s commitment to an open, transparent and inclusive regulatory process that accommodates the interests of infrastructure providers, network operators, public institutions and consumers.

He explained that the proposed framework is intended to promote infrastructure sharing, improve the utilisation of existing assets, lower broadband deployment costs and facilitate the rollout of telecommunications infrastructure nationwide.

According to him, the study is focused on developing a fair and transparent pricing mechanism for sharing underground ducts installed during road construction and rehabilitation projects under the Dig Once Policy.

Shuaibu noted that the policy allows fibre optic cables to be deployed through existing ducts, reducing the need for repeated road excavations that often increase project costs and disrupt public infrastructure.

“The Commission remains committed to a transparent, inclusive and consultative process. Our objective is to arrive at a pricing structure that balances the interests of infrastructure providers, access seekers and, ultimately, consumers, while also encouraging continued investment in broadband infrastructure,” he said.

He added that comments and recommendations from stakeholders would be reviewed and incorporated into the final report to ensure the framework is practical, commercially sustainable and responsive to the realities of the telecommunications industry.

Delivering the keynote presentation, Managing Director of Dimension Data Limited, Olugbenga Olabiyi, described passive infrastructure—including ducts, conduits and manholes—as one of the most capital-intensive aspects of broadband deployment.

He said infrastructure sharing has become a globally recognised strategy for lowering deployment costs, improving operational efficiency and accelerating broadband expansion.

According to Olabiyi, Nigeria’s Dig Once Policy presents an opportunity to coordinate infrastructure deployment, maximise the use of existing facilities, minimise avoidable road excavations and improve broadband access nationwide.

He stressed, however, that the success of the policy would depend on a predictable, transparent and equitable access framework.

“Infrastructure sharing succeeds only when access is governed by fairness, transparency, predictability and effective market oversight,” he said.

Olabiyi warned that excessive pricing, restrictive commercial conditions or discriminatory access practices could undermine the objectives of the policy by discouraging investment in broadband infrastructure.

He commended the NCC’s initiative to develop a cost-based pricing framework, saying it would boost investor confidence and provide certainty for infrastructure companies, mobile network operators, Internet Service Providers and fibre network operators.

Participants at the forum examined the interim findings of the study and offered recommendations on the proposed pricing methodology, implementation strategy and cost components.

The discussions focused on ensuring that the framework supports efficient infrastructure deployment while balancing the interests of infrastructure owners, access seekers and consumers.

The consultation forms part of the NCC’s broader regulatory efforts to deepen broadband penetration, promote infrastructure sharing and support Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda through the effective implementation of the Dig Once Policy.