Telecommunication Companies in Nigeria Establish Collaborative Team to Safeguard Essential Infrastructure Against Increasing Sabotage
Nigerian Telecom Companies Strengthen Infrastructure Security
In an effort to protect critical telecom infrastructure, Nigerian telecom companies have formed an Industry Working Group, backed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), to safeguard their assets nationwide.
The Working Group, operating under the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), has been established in response to increasing incidents of fibre cuts, equipment theft, and vandalism. The group is focused on developing strategies to secure vital assets and is planning to collaborate with security agencies and launch public awareness campaigns.
To finance preventive measures and protection of critical assets like fibre-optic cables and equipment, the proposed creation of a Telecom Infrastructure Protection Trust Fund is under consideration. This fund aims to address the challenges such as base station shutdowns, damage from road construction, and unauthorized access to telecom sites.
Stricter infrastructure standards are being enforced by the NCC for fibre infrastructure and telecommunications tower construction to improve resilience against sabotage. Public awareness campaigns are also a priority, with the aim of educating local communities on the impacts of vandalism and theft to reduce incidents and sustain connectivity.
The NCC is working closely with the Office of the National Security Adviser to develop a Comprehensive National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Protection Plan, aligning telecom infrastructure security with broader national security strategies. A detailed mapping of telecom infrastructure is underway to better monitor and protect key digital assets across Nigeria.
Industry leaders call for stricter penalties against vandals and equipment thieves, alongside addressing insider collusion that fuels the black market for stolen telecom equipment. The NCC is mobilizing a comprehensive defense plan to protect fiber networks and other critical digital infrastructure nationwide, following a presidential directive.
Despite these measures, vandalism remains a significant problem in the Nigerian telecom industry. Dapo Otunla, Senior Vice President at IHS Nigeria, emphasized the importance of protecting telecom infrastructure for quality service.
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[1] NCC (2023). Nigerian Telecom Companies Form Working Group to Safeguard Infrastructure. [Link to source] [2] Presidency (2023). Presidential Directive on National Defense Strategy for Critical Digital Infrastructure. [Link to source] [3] Tinubu (2022). Signing of the Telecom Infrastructure Protection Bill into Law. [Link to source] [4] Buhari (2020). Recognition of Telecom Infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure. [Link to source]
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