{"id":1911,"date":"2026-07-13T11:49:37","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T11:49:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/?p=1911"},"modified":"2026-07-13T13:24:01","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T13:24:01","slug":"broadband-ncc-rallies-stakeholders-to-formulate-dig-once-policy-for-cost-based-duct-sharing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/?p=1911","title":{"rendered":"Broadband: NCC rallies stakeholders to formulate &#8216;dig once&#8217; policy for cost-based duct sharing"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>*<strong><em>The Nigerian Communications Commission announces the proposed policy framework for implementation of the &#8216;Dig Once&#8217; initiative is designed to encourage infrastructure sharing, improve asset utilisation, reduce the cost of Broadband deployment, and facilitate the expansion of telecoms infrastructure across the West African country<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect<\/p>\n<p>As part of efforts at deepening Broadband penetration, access and affordability in the telecoms ecosystem, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has restated its commitment to promoting efficient digital infrastructure through collaborative implementation of the &#8220;Dig Once&#8221; policy.<\/p>\n<p><em>ConsumerConnect<\/em> reports the NCC said this Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at the 2nd Stakeholders\u2019 Consultative Forum to Develop a Pricing Mechanism and Cost-Based Structure for Sharing Ducts Built Under the Dig Once Policy in Nigeria&#8221;, in Abuja, FCT.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"HlQwhduXDo\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/?p=1940\">National ID: Tinubu directs NIMC to enrol all eligible Nigerians by December 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"\u201cNational ID: Tinubu directs NIMC to enrol all eligible Nigerians by December 2026\u201d \u2014 Consumer Experience Is A Top Priority\" src=\"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/?p=1940&amp;embed=true#?secret=OKfYCWeRUb#?secret=HlQwhduXDo\" data-secret=\"HlQwhduXDo\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>The telecoms sector regulatory Commission also explained the participants in the forum deliberated on the interim findings of the study, and offered inputs for the development of &#8220;a transparent, equitable and cost-based framework for sharing underground duct infrastructure&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>The Stakeholders\u2019 Consultative Forum attracted representatives of the Federal and state government institutions, telecoms operators, infrastructure companies, industry associations, development partners and other key stakeholders.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking at the event, Mr. Ayuba Shuaibu, Director, Policy, Competition and Economic Analysis at NCC, affirmed the consultative engagement underscored the Commission\u2019s commitment to an open, transparent and inclusive regulatory process.<\/p>\n<p>Shuaibu stated that such an approach accommodates the interests of infrastructure providers, network operators, public institutions and consumers in the country&#8217;s digital space.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Core objectives of &#8216;Dig Once&#8217; policy framework <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Director, Policy, Competition and Economic Analysis equally&nbsp; explained the proposed policy framework is intended to encourage infrastructure sharing, improve asset utilisation, reduce the cost of broadband deployment and facilitate the expansion of telecommunications infrastructure across the country.<\/p>\n<p>The study is designed to establish a fair and transparent pricing mechanism for sharing underground ducts deployed under Nigeria\u2019s &#8220;Dig Once&#8221; Policy, which encourages the installation of telecommunications ducts during road construction and rehabilitation projects. Shuaibu as well noted that would enable future fibre deployments without repeated road excavations in Nigeria.<\/p>\n<p>He further stated: \u201cThe Commission remains committed to a transparent, inclusive and consultative process.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Our objective is to arrive at a pricing structure that balances the interests of infrastructure providers, access seekers and, ultimately, consumers, while also encouraging continued investment in broadband infrastructure.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe encourage frank, constructive and solution-oriented contributions that will strengthen the final outcomes of this study.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The Director disclosed that all observations, recommendations and contributions received from stakeholders at the forum would be reviewed and incorporated into the final study report to ensure that the resulting framework is practical, commercially sustainable and responsive to industry realities.<\/p>\n<p><strong>On key components Broadband deployment<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In his keynote presentation, Mr. Olugbenga Olabiyi, a consultant and Managing Director of Dimension Data Limited, observed that passive infrastructure, including ducts, conduits, manholes and related facilities, constitute one of the most capital-intensive components of Broadband network deployment globally.<\/p>\n<p>Olabiyi said infrastructure sharing had emerged as an effective strategy for reducing deployment costs, improving efficiency, and accelerating Broadband expansion.<\/p>\n<p>The expert said Nigeria\u2019s adoption of the Dig Once Policy presented an important opportunity to strengthen coordinated infrastructure deployment, minimise avoidable road excavations, improve utilisation of existing infrastructure and support broader Broadband access across the country.<\/p>\n<p>The Managing Director of Dimension Data Limited also stressed the importance of developing a predictable, transparent and equitable access framework.<\/p>\n<p>According to him, inconsistent pricing models and unclear access conditions could undermine investment incentives, and limit the benefits of infrastructure sharing.<\/p>\n<p>Mrs. Nnenna Ukoha, Director of Public Affairs at NCC, in a recent statement Friday, also quoted Olabiyi to have said: \u201cFor Nigeria, where broadband expansion remains a national priority under the National Broadband Plan, successful implementation of the Dig Once Policy could become one of the most impactful infrastructure reforms in our telecommunications history.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHowever, infrastructure sharing succeeds only when access is governed by fairness, transparency, predictability and effective market oversight.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>He stated: \u201cWithout an equitable access framework, owners of shared infrastructure may inadvertently or deliberately create barriers to entry through excessive pricing, restrictive commercial conditions or discriminatory access practices.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Such outcomes would undermine the objectives of the Dig Once initiative and discourage investment rather than promote it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The company executive added: \u201cThis is why the NCC\u2019s initiative to develop a cost-based pricing framework deserves commendation.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;A transparent and objective pricing methodology will provide confidence to investors, infrastructure companies, mobile network operators, Internet Service Providers, fibre operators and all participants within the communications ecosystem.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Review of interim findings and recommendations<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Commission said the participants in the Stakeholders&#8217; Consultation Forum also reviewed the interim findings and provided recommendations on the proposed pricing methodology, implementation considerations and cost elements.<\/p>\n<p>The NCC noted the discussions focused on ensuring that the policy supports efficient infrastructure deployment while balancing the interests of infrastructure providers, access seekers and consumers.<\/p>\n<p>The stakeholder consultation builds on earlier engagements conducted by the Commission on the study, the statement noted.<\/p>\n<p>The engagement aligns with the NCC\u2019s commitment to implementing regulatory initiatives that promote broadband expansion, encourage infrastructure sharing and advance Nigeria\u2019s digital transformation agenda, stated Mrs. Ukoha.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>*The Nigerian Communications Commission announces the proposed policy framework for implementation of the &#8216;Dig Once&#8217; initiative is designed to encourage infrastructure sharing, improve asset utilisation,&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1914,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_FSMCFIC_featured_image_caption":"L-R: Prof. Olalekan Yinusa, Executive Director, Policy, Strategy and Research, Nigeria Governors' Forum; Mr. Ayuba Shuaibu, Director, Policy Competition and Economic Analysis at NCC; Engr. Nadungu Gagare, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy; Dr. Helen Aderibigbe Adeniyi, Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Innovation Science and Technology, Kogi State, During the 2nd Stakeholders' Consultative Forum on Formulation of 'Dig-Once' Policy, Held in Abuja, FCT\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Photo: NCC","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_nocaption":"","_FSMCFIC_featured_image_hide":"","_customify_content_layout":"","_customify_sidebar":"","_customify_page_header_display":"default","_customify_disable_header":"","_customify_disable_header_top":"","_customify_disable_header_main":"","_customify_disable_header_bottom":"","_customify_disable_page_title":"","_customify_disable_content_vertical_padding":"","_customify_disable_footer_top":"","_customify_disable_footer_main":"","_customify_disable_footer_bottom":"","_customify_breadcrumb_display":"","_customify_header_transparent_display":"default","footnotes":""},"categories":[20,8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1911","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-highlights","category-regulators"],"featured_image_urls":{"full":["https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/NCC-at-Stakeholders-Consultantive-Forum-on-Dig-Once-Policy-cc.png",672,365,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/NCC-at-Stakeholders-Consultantive-Forum-on-Dig-Once-Policy-cc-150x150.png",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/NCC-at-Stakeholders-Consultantive-Forum-on-Dig-Once-Policy-cc-300x163.png",300,163,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/NCC-at-Stakeholders-Consultantive-Forum-on-Dig-Once-Policy-cc.png",672,365,false],"large":["https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/NCC-at-Stakeholders-Consultantive-Forum-on-Dig-Once-Policy-cc.png",672,365,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/NCC-at-Stakeholders-Consultantive-Forum-on-Dig-Once-Policy-cc.png",672,365,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/NCC-at-Stakeholders-Consultantive-Forum-on-Dig-Once-Policy-cc.png",672,365,false]},"author_info":{"info":["ConsumerConnect"]},"category_info":"<a href=\"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/?cat=20\" rel=\"category\">Highlights<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/?cat=8\" rel=\"category\">Regulators<\/a>","tag_info":"Regulators","comment_count":"0","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1911","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1911"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1911\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1965,"href":"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1911\/revisions\/1965"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1914"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1911"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1911"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/consumerconnectng.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1911"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}