MTN Nigeria has reported over 6,000 cuts to its fibre cables between 2022 and 2023, resulting in a loss of N11 billion (approximately US$6.63 million), according to telecom infrastructure company IHS.
IHS, which manages infrastructure for several telecom operators in Nigeria, stated that MTN has relocated 2,500 kilometres of vulnerable fibre cables during this period, an effort that cost more than N11 billion—enough to construct 870 kilometres of new fibre lines in underserved areas.
The Nigerian ICT sector is urging the federal government to designate telecom infrastructure as a critical national asset to combat ongoing attacks on infrastructure across the country. In a statement, IHS highlighted the urgent need for protective measures, noting that MTN alone faced significant losses due to repeated vandalism and theft.
Key stakeholders in the telecommunications sector, including IHS Towers, the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Communications Commission, have called for government intervention to enhance the security of telecommunications infrastructure from cyber threats and physical attacks. They emphasized the importance of protecting these assets for Nigeria’s economic growth and digital advancement.
During a panel discussion at the 30th Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, IHS Senior Vice President Dapo Otunla stressed the necessity of safeguarding Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure. He stated that protecting these assets is crucial for achieving the current administration’s digital economy targets and called for a collaborative approach to develop a robust Critical National Information Infrastructure Protection Plan.
Otunla said, “By working together, we can secure the future of our telecommunications infrastructure,” and urged for strategies that not only protect but also strengthen the ecosystem that supports national security and digital growth.
ALTON Chairman Gbenga Adebayo commended the federal government for signing an executive order designating communication infrastructure as critical national infrastructure, recognizing its potential positive impact on the sector.
Original Post Source: Source link