Nigeria’s leading network operator MTN has signed a concession deal with the government of Cross Rivers state, which will provide a 115km cable duct infrastructure for the city of Calabar, from Tinapa to Anantigha.
When completed, Calabar will be Nigeria’s most connected city.
The infrastructure which would provide broadband internet access will also improve the quality of MTN voice services in the city and will cost around NGN1.1 billion (US$6.8 million) and will take around six months to complete.
Odo Effiong, special adviser on communication technology development to the governor, said telecoms services have become essential – secondary to water, transportation, and electricity.
“Several studies showed a 10 per cent increase in broadband access in a developing economy had resulted in a growth of 1.38 per cent of Gross Domestic (GDP). The initiative is an important component of the incumbent administration’s socio-economic development plan as Calabar is becoming the regional business and investment destination of choice,” Effiong said.
According to MTN, three telecommunication cable ducts and 96 core fibre optic cables will be installed and the project will be managed under a public-private arrangement involving the state government and the telecoms company.
