Long Term Evolution (LTE) according to Nigeria’s largest network MTN is the key technology that will deepen broadband penetration in the country. The company also predicted that there would be a sharp rise in broadband penetration by 2017 with the rollout of LTE.
Senior Manager, Transmission Access Planning Network Group at MTN, Mr. Olusegun Salami, made the forecast in Lagos at the third quarter edition of the Nigerian Information and Communications Technology Reporters Association (NITRA) seminar.
Speaking on Foreign Direct Investment-An Impetus To Achieving Ubiquitous Broadband Penetration, Salami said the massive rollout of LTE broadband technology, coupled with compatible and affordable smartphones would spur broadband connectivity in the next two years.
“Nigerians are beginning to see significant improvement in broadband penetration. By 2017, when more service providers must have launched their LTE services, Nigerians would experience faster browsing speed and navigation on the internet,” he said.
Salami said: “It is for this reason that MTN decided to come with low pricing smartphone that will enhance increased use of the internet, through mobile devices.”