By Politico Writer
The National Telecommunications Commission (NATCOM) says it plans to embark on a survey designed to help operators improve on their connectivity.
The Access Gap Survey, to be conducted in collaboration with the Universal Access Development Fund (UADF), is a remedial measure aimed at addressing the problems of mobile and internet penetration in the country, an official of NATCOM said.
“When the survey should have been completed, NATCOM and UADF would utilize the data collected to encourage mobile network operators (MNOs) to leverage their services and investments in identified areas with limited or no mobile access,” Smart Kokofele, Deputy Director of Consumer and Industry Affairs at NATCOM, said. He added that the findings of the survey would also be used by MNOs in developing their expansion plan.
The move is also in response to fluctuation in Quality of Service (QOS) during interconnection, and the apparent inability displayed by those concerned to address the challenges.
According to Mr Kokofele, the Access Gap Survey is a prerequisite for an effective strategy for the rolling out of Universal Access Service Initiatives.
“Countries like Kenya, Uganda and Ghana, have adopted a similar measure as a first step approach, to solve communication challenges in their unserved and underserved communities,” he said.
He noted that as a way of fostering coordination and collaboration among operators, the regulator has been involved in ensuring the operators improve on their interconnection arrangements, with the aim of softening the problems usually experienced by consumers during the utilisation of their services.
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