ABUJA, July 9 – The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has begun work on a cost-based pricing framework for sharing underground telecom ducts as part of the Federal Government’s Dig Once policy, a move aimed at reducing repeated road excavation and speeding up broadband deployment across the country.
The proposal was presented at the Second Stakeholders’ Forum on the Development of a Pricing Mechanism and Cost-Based Structure for Sharing Ducts under the Dig Once Policy, held in Abuja.
Under the policy, telecom ducts are installed whenever roads are built or rehabilitated, allowing multiple operators to lay fibre cables through existing underground infrastructure instead of digging up the same roads repeatedly.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Nadungu Gagare, said the policy is designed to lower broadband deployment costs, encourage infrastructure sharing and make better use of public resources, adding that a transparent and commercially viable pricing framework would help attract investment while ensuring fair access for all operators.
The NCC said it engaged consultants in 2023 to develop the pricing model after identifying the absence of a clear charging structure as a major gap in the draft policy. According to the commission, the framework is expected to balance the interests of infrastructure owners, service providers and consumers while supporting long-term investment in broadband infrastructure.
Industry stakeholders also backed the initiative, saying it would reduce deployment costs, shorten project timelines, minimise traffic disruption and protect public roads from repeated damage. In addition, experts called for a National Passive Infrastructure Registry to improve visibility of available ducts and spare capacity, as well as stronger collaboration between the Federal Government and state governments on Right of Way administration.
Representatives from Cross River and Oyo states also expressed support for the framework, saying a fair pricing model would encourage infrastructure sharing, reduce disputes and support faster broadband expansion nationwide.
