The strategic objective of the Sectoral Virtual Forum being organized by the Association of Telecom Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) is to converge the regulator’s Interests and ensures a competitive telecom market.
The Executive Secretary of ATCON, Mr. Ajibola Olude disclosed this in a statement yesterday, adding that the sectoral forum will also fast track development of telecom industry; Operator’s Interests – an enabling environment for businesses and protection of investment in the sector; and Consumer’s Interests – to be satisfied in terms of quality of services, affordability and access; for Digital Economy Development.
“Let me reiterate it that the interdependence among the government, telecom and ICT Companies and Nigerians are clearly obvious but each of them has limitations and potentials. Hence, the forum would make an attempt to address their limitations and turn them to advantage for the development of Nigerian Telecom and ICT Sector in the era of COVID-19 and Post COVID-19 Pandemic,” he said.
The Sectoral Virtual Forum, scheduled for Thursday, August 6, 2020, by 11:30 am and will be held via Zoom (and live on Facebook and other social media, would also address the need of telecom and ICT Consumers in the COVID-19 and Post COVID-19 Pandemic cum Digital Economy era with the principal goal of meeting the new broadband target of 70 percent.
ATCON believes that the forum would provide a veritable platform for Governments, Consumers (corporate and personal) and Telecommunications and ICT Companies to rob minds on how consumers can be better off in terms of effective delivery of telecoms and ICT services and products in Nigeria.
“The centrality of the consumer to the projected growth of the Nigerian telecoms and ICT Sector cannot be overlooked in the area of the needed investment to accelerate the progress of our sector. With the emergence of the digital economy in Nigeria coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic, many economic transactions would be done digitally going forward,” the umbrella body of all telecom companies in Nigeria added.
Meanwhile, Dr. Isa Pantami, Minister for Communications and Digital Economy has confirmed his availability to present a principal keynote address on theme of the Forum with special focus on the Ministry’s Policy Directions. While Prof Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Mr. Kashifu Inuwa, Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) would constitute the panelists from the government establishments and they will be making presentations on the theme of the event with special focus on what the Commission and the Agency are doing in respect of consumers.