The Nigerian Communications Commission has opened discussions with key players in the telecommunications sector on a new pricing framework for the shared use of fibre ducts across the country.
The engagement forms part of ongoing efforts to support the implementation of Nigeria’s Dig Once Policy, a broadband infrastructure strategy designed to reduce unnecessary road excavation and make fibre deployment faster, cheaper, and more coordinated.
Under the proposed framework, telecom operators, infrastructure companies, and other service providers will be able to access shared fibre ducts based on a fair, transparent, and cost based pricing model.
The policy is expected to address one of the major challenges affecting broadband expansion in Nigeria, which is the high cost of laying fibre optic cables. In many cases, operators are forced to dig roads separately to deploy their own infrastructure, leading to repeated damage to public roads, higher project costs, and delays in expanding internet access.
With a structured duct sharing model, operators can use existing or jointly developed infrastructure instead of duplicating excavation works. This will help reduce capital expenditure, improve infrastructure planning, and support faster broadband rollout in urban, semi urban, and underserved communities.
The Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy has stated that a clear pricing model is necessary to protect investor interests while ensuring that broadband infrastructure serves the wider public good.
The consultation process is also expected to promote stronger collaboration between government agencies, state authorities, infrastructure providers, and telecom operators.
If properly implemented, the Dig Once framework could become a major step toward improving Nigeria’s digital economy, expanding internet access, supporting innovation, and reducing the infrastructure barriers that continue to slow broadband penetration across the country.
