IHS Nigeria has reflected on its contribution to Nigeria's telecommunications evolution, highlighting the critical role of digital infrastructure in the country's journey from the introduction of GSM services to the emergence of an increasingly connected digital economy. The company made these remarks at the 12th edition of the eWorld Forum, held recently in Lagos. The forum commemorated 25 years of Nigeria's GSM revolution and examined the transformation of the country's telecommunications ecosystem.
The eWorld Forum, themed "The GSM Digital Milestones: 25 Years On," featured telecommunications industry stakeholders, policymakers, technology leaders, and members of the media. The event also included the launch of two books: "The Pilgrim Trail – Footprints of Mercy" and "Nigeria's GSM Revolution at 25 – The Hall of Digital Pioneers, Players." IHS Nigeria's Director, Corporate Communications, Sylva Ifedigbo, delivered a goodwill message, describing the 25-year GSM milestone as a significant moment in Nigeria's digital journey.
Ifedigbo noted that IHS Nigeria's journey has remained closely connected to the development of the country's telecommunications ecosystem. As part of IHS Towers, one of the world's largest independent owners, operators, and developers of shared communications infrastructure, IHS Nigeria has spent over two decades building and managing infrastructure supporting mobile network operators and internet service providers across the country. The company has an infrastructure footprint of approximately 16,000 towers and more than 15,000 route kilometers of fiber deployed across Nigeria.
IHS Nigeria's infrastructure supports the delivery of voice and data services, while shared infrastructure and connectivity solutions enable mobile network operators and other service providers to expand their networks. The company's fiber infrastructure has also increased connectivity capacity and supported the delivery of digital services across different parts of the country. Ifedigbo stated that IHS Nigeria is synonymous with Nigeria's GSM story and referred to itself as Nigeria's backbone of digital possibilities.
During a panel session at the forum, Director, Regional Operations, IHS Nigeria, Olaitan Ogunbiyi, reflected on the dramatic changes witnessed in Nigeria's telecommunications sector since the introduction of GSM services. Ogunbiyi recalled the early years of mobile telecommunications, when access to mobile lines was limited and mobile phones were still relatively new to Nigerians. He noted that the licensing of GSM operators in 2001 represented a major turning point, followed by the evolution from 2G to 3G and 4G services and the subsequent expansion of fiber infrastructure and faster connectivity.
Ogunbiyi highlighted the impact of the telecommunications revolution, which has extended beyond voice and mobile communication, influencing sectors such as healthcare, transportation, manufacturing, and technology. He also emphasized the role of colocation and infrastructure sharing in expanding telecommunications networks while reducing the cost and duplication associated with network deployment. Shared infrastructure enables multiple operators and service providers to leverage existing infrastructure instead of independently building similar networks.
The forum provided an opportunity for participants to share personal memories of Nigeria's early GSM era, including experiences surrounding the acquisition of their first mobile phones and SIM cards. IHS Nigeria's infrastructure supports multiple mobile network operators and internet service providers, while its fiber network provides additional connectivity infrastructure that can be shared by multiple users. The company's efforts have helped drop the cost of service to the end user by significantly lowering the cost of deployment for mobile network operators.
Key points
- IHS Nigeria has played a crucial role in Nigeria's telecommunications evolution, supporting the country's digital economy growth through its infrastructure.
- The company has an extensive infrastructure footprint, including approximately 16,000 towers and over 15,000 route kilometers of fiber deployed across Nigeria.
- IHS Nigeria's infrastructure has enabled the expansion of telecommunications networks, reduced deployment costs, and increased connectivity capacity across the country.
