As the revolution around the internet continues to deepen, the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) fears that cybercrime remains one of its major challenges.
The Nigerian telecom industry regulator disclosed this at the 27th Afrinic meeting in Lagos, making it clear that the Commission is putting heads together to handle the situation which is affecting everybody globally.
“As the internet evolves, so also does cybercrime. This remains an immense challenge for internet development in Africa and the entire world, crucial collaboration within sub-regional and regional needed and this is the key in preventing and mitigating cyber attracts,” Professor Umar Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman, NCC said.
He disclosed that the Commission is partnering with relevant agencies to provide proactive measures in mitigating cybercrime.
“The Commission is setting up a Sectorial Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) center that will collaborate with the ngCERT (domicile in the office of the NSA), in tackling issues that relate to the telecommunications industry in the fight against cybercrime,” he said.
According to the NCC boss, on the international level, Nigeria through NCC, is partnering with International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to set up Africa Regional Cybersecurity Center (RCC) in Abuja.
He explained that the center would be used for Africa Regional Cybersecurity information sharing (cyber-attacks, threats, malware, and viruses, etc.) and also to train countries within the Africa sub-region on Cybersecurity related issues.
Revealing to the stakeholders at the event on what NCC had done concerning broadband access in Nigeria, he maintained that broadband access is key to any national development agenda, and the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NBP) 2013 has set a target of 30% penetration by 2018.
The Commission (NCC) recognizes its prime responsibility in the actualization of the NBP, as one of the strategic objectives revered in its 8-Point Agenda, “facilitation of broadband penetration” which will enable the NCC meet and even surpass the 30% target of broadband penetration in the country by 2018, as at September 2017 (Broadband Commission 2017), the Nigeria broadband penetration stands at 21.8%.
The EVC said the Commission’s efforts in the actualization of increased broadband penetration in Nigeria could be seen in this direction;
- Two slots in the 700MHz band have been earmarked for commercial Broadband deployment;
- The 800MHz band also known as the Digital Dividend 1 has been re-planned and licensed for 4GLong Term Evolution(LTE) deployment;
- The 900MHz E-GSM band has been licensed for 4G LTE deployment;
- 70/80GHz band (E-Band) has been opened to facilitate Broadband deployment;
- 2.3 GHz band was licensed for 4G LTE Deployment;
- Part of the 1800MHz band has been re-farmed by some Mobile Operators for 4GLTE deployments.