Broadband access will translate to productivity - Expert

dimeji akinloye

September 3, 2016 4:39 PM

Ekuwem said that for broadband to be well adopted, every average Nigerian needed to understand how broadband would boost its daily activities.

A NBN Co worker arranges fibre-optic cables used in the National Broadband Network in west Sydney July 11, 2013. REUTERS/Daniel Munoz

An Information Technology (ICT) expert, Dr

Ekuwem, who is also the former President, Association of Telecommunications of Nigeria (ATCON), disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

He said that according to World Bank report, every 10 per cent increase in broadband infrastructure penetration of a nation, would give a 1.3 per cent increase in Gross Domestic Product.

``One should imagine the multiplier effect when it goes up to 10, 15 per cent and 45 per cent as projected by Nigerian Communications Commission.

``Broadband will bring knowledge to our doorstep, knowledge to be empowered, to take decisions that will lead to productivity and good performance in business,’’ he said.

He urged industry stakeholders within the digital ecosystem to popularise the benefits of broadband so that the public would know the enormous benefits attached to it.

``The moment in Nigeria people irrespective of area of engagement in the national economy see its productivity being boosted with access to broadband, the adoption would be wildfire.

``When broadband is applied, it will provide concept in education, having smart schools, smart laboratory, campuses, workshop, library hospital, surgery and others.

``A surgeon carrying out an operation may want to teleconference with other colleagues to get more contribution on the operating table and this can be possible through broadband connectivity.

``Also a university professor will sit in his office and give lecture to his class without any physical movement, that is the essence of broadband access.

``It will ensure the surveillance of Nigerian geographic space and ensure the protection of lives and property in the country.

``The multiplier effect is simply enormous as broadband application will make way for Nigerians to adopt internet and things that are of good value.

dimeji akinloye