The President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) Engr. Olusola Teniola has given insight into why the association decided to organize the Sectoral Virtual Forum, which has in attendance over 180 stakeholders across government, regulators, industry players and the consumers.
According to Teniola, the Sectoral Virtual Forum, which focuses on ‘Meeting the Interests of Government, Consumers and Telecoms Companies in the Era of Covid-19 and Post Covid-19 Pandemic for Digital Economy Development’ was organized to see the interdependence and collaboration among the government, telecom and ICT Companies and Nigerians.
“It should be emphasized that interdependence and collaboration among the government, telecom and ICT Companies and Nigerians are clearly necessary. Hence, the Sectoral Virtual Forum, which is expected to make an attempt to address the challenges and turn them to advantage for the development of our Telecom and ICT Sector in the era of COVID-19 and Post COVID-19 Pandemic,” he said.
He expressed optimism that inputs from the forum will be channeled with a view to meeting the New Broadband Target of 70 percent and ultimately, galvanize federal government efforts towards achieving Post COVID-19 Pandemic for Digital Economy Development.
Speaking further in his welcome address, Teniola disclosed that the strategic objectives of the sectoral forum are to converge regulators’ Interests -to ensure a competitive telecom market and fast track development of the telecom and ICT industry; Operator’s Interests
He noted that an enabling environment for businesses and protection of investment in the sector; and Consumer’s Interests should be satisfied in terms of quality of services, affordability access and connectivity.