The insufficiency of infrastructure is a significant contributing factor. Nigeria is experiencing a shortage of fiber optic cables, which is impeding the ability to provide high-speed broadband. Currently, the subsea cables that telecom network operators depend on are being severed and some are experiencing downtime. According to the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), cable operators are currently engaged in efforts to reinstate connectivity subsequent to the submarine cable disruptions, resulting in significant outages for numerous internet service providers across Africa. The disruptions were ascribed by the Commission to occurrences that occurred in Cote d'Ivoire and Senegal, which subsequently led to disturbances in Portugal. Promoting investment in these alternative solutions will foster the development of a telecommunications network that is both resilient and geographically varied. The combination of enhanced infrastructure and more stringent rules would facilitate the establishment of a future in which Nigerians can ultimately depend on a robust and reliable connectivity. By effectively tackling the existing limitations and adopting new strategies, Nigeria has the ability to narrow the digital divide and fully harness the capabilities of its telecommunications industry. An extensively interconnected Nigeria is a country that is empowered to flourish in the constantly changing digital era.

1. A Broken Link: Resolving Nigeria's Telecom Challenges by Arazim SHEU
Nigeria, the dominant economic power in Africa, grapples with a recurrent issue - a deficient
telecommunications network. These issues are evident through the occurrence of challenging
dropped calls, poor internet speeds, and erratic voice and data services. The aforementioned
challenges arise from a multifaceted network of factors, necessitating both urgent and
enduring solutions.
The insufficiency of infrastructure is a significant contributing factor. Nigeria is experiencing
a shortage of fiber optic cables, which is impeding the ability to provide high-speed broadband.
Currently, the subsea cables that telecom network operators depend on are being severed and
some are experiencing downtime. According to the Nigeria Communications Commission
(NCC), cable operators are currently engaged in efforts to reinstate connectivity subsequent
to the submarine cable disruptions, resulting in significant outages for numerous internet
service providers across Africa. The disruptions were ascribed by the Commission to
occurrences that occurred in Cote d'Ivoire and Senegal, which subsequently led to
disturbances in Portugal.
Moreover, acts of vandalism and theft of telecommunications equipment cause disruptions in
the transmission of services. The presence of an unreliable power source introduces an
additional level of intricacy, compelling operators to rely on costly, temporary alternatives such
as diesel generators.
Urgent intervention is required. In order to ensure the protection of infrastructure and mitigate
the dependence on sub-marine cables for telecommunications traffic within the nation, it is
imperative for the government and telecoms operators to engage in a collaborative effort to
develop a comprehensive security plan. The allocation of resources towards renewable energy
solutions for cell towers has the potential to mitigate reliance on the unpredictable national
grid. The implementation of more stringent quality-of-service (QoS) requirements and the
establishment of operator accountability for subpar performance should be prioritized by the
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
In order to ensure a more resilient future, Nigeria has to move beyond its reliance on
submarine cables.
These undersea links, while critical, are prone to degradation and provide a single point of
failure. Here are some potential solutions:
* Satellite Technology: Satellite coverage is more extensive, particularly in geographically
isolated regions, and may be extended at a faster rate compared to the deployment of fiber
optic cables. Although the presence of latency, or signal delay, might pose challenges, the
progress in satellite technology is rendering it a more feasible alternative.
* Terrestrial Microwave Links: Building an entire nation of microwave towers has the
potential to offer high-capacity connections. This particular choice demonstrates cost-

2. effectiveness when considering mid-range lengths and can serve as a viable alternative to
undersea cables.
* Free Space Optics (FSO): This technological innovation employs lasers for the wireless
transmission of data over limited distances. A line-of-sight approach is very suitable for
establishing connections between urban centers or specific places.
Promoting investment in these alternative solutions will foster the development of a
telecommunications network that is both resilient and geographically varied. The combination
of enhanced infrastructure and more stringent rules would facilitate the establishment of a
future in which Nigerians can ultimately depend on a robust and reliable connectivity.
By effectively tackling the existing limitations and adopting new strategies, Nigeria has the
ability to narrow the digital divide and fully harness the capabilities of its telecommunications
industry. An extensively interconnected Nigeria is a country that is empowered to flourish in
the constantly changing digital era.