The Telecom Italia Sparkle (TIS) says it is seeking partnership with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to deepen business partnership and be a player in the Nigerian telecom sector.
The Deputy Head of Mission to the Italian Embassy, Mr Tarek Chazli, made this known during a courtesy visit at the NCC’s Head Office in Abuja on Thursday.
Chazli, who led the delegation stated that TIS, known as a leading player in international telecom business, recognised the place of Nigeria in Africa’s telecom ecosystem and desired to be a player in the telecom sector.
He noted that Nigerians and Italians were great users of mobile communications, adding that Nigeria was a regional leader in mobile communications, a strategic market and an important hub.
“It is just natural that TIS is interested in the Nigerian market, and it is going to add value to the Nigerian market,” he said.
Mr Stefano Olivieri, Head of Sales, Africa and Middle East, TIS, said that the organization was a key player in the Italian, Brazilian, Burundian, Tanzanian and other telecom markets.
According to him, TIS’ entry into the Nigerian market holds a great promise for deepening the transformation of Nigerian telecom ecosystem.
Olivieri, however, said that the company had huge contents to promote robust data services and cause expansion in businesses for the benefit of Nigerians.
“TIS is particularly mindful of security of contents and applications on its networks.
“Many globally-used ICT applications are already on TIS backbone, he said.
Responding, Mr Adeleke Adewolu, the Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management (ECSM), NCC expressed delight over the team’s visit and thanked the members for TIS’ passion and enthusiasm toward the Nigerian telecom industry.
Adewolu told the team NCC had made many strides and commitment toward ensuring pervasiveness of broadband in the country.
The ECSM, however, promised to transmit the letter from TIS to the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta and the Management for consideration.
He directed the NCC’s Director of Licensing and Authorisation, Mohammed Babajika, to hold a discussion with TIS on its proposal, pending application for license.
“NCC has licensed infrastructure companies that will ensure the cascading of terrestrial fibre to every local government area of Nigeria.
“Very soon, a blueprint will be unveiled by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Ali Ibrahim Pantami, defining the roadmap for deepening the digital culture in Nigeria,” he said
