Nigeria - Phase3

Nigeria: Phase3, Ecowas to Roll Out Transmission Network

An Abuja-based telecoms network provider-Phase3 Telecom, has entered into a deal facilitated by the Economic Commission of West African States (ECOWAS) to roll out carrier network to several West African States.

The Chief Executive Officer, Phase3 Telecom, Mr. Stanley Jegede, disclosed these during an end of year party organised by the company for its customers, staff, government officials and other stakeholders in telecommunications industry in Abuja recently.

He said the project is part of the regional body's scheme known as Intelcom II scheme aimed at integrating the regional telecommunications infrastructure instead having fragmented networks in different member states.

The countries involved includes the Republic of Benin , Togo , Ghana , Cote d'Ivoire and Senegal, adding that, Phase3 will provide transmission capacity to telecommunication operators by riding on existing high voltage power facilities in ECOWAS member states.

The company had pioneered the roll out of transmission capacity through the installation fibre optic infrastructure on dormant power lines after it signed an agreement with the Transmission Company of Nigeria , an arm of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) in 2006.

He said the company has since rolled out 3,500km of optic fibre within Nigeria and currently has high profile clients including Zain Nigeria , Globacom Nigeria and Etisalat Nigeria .

Jegede said, "Although young, our activities span the entire country. Since being licensed, thanks to the Nigerian Communications Commission, we have rolled out 3500 of optic fibre in Nigeria .

"In the area of infrastructure, Phase3 is proud to be one of the contributors to the President's seven-point agenda in providing a reliable telecommunication infrastructure for our dear nation.

"With pride, a high percentage of our staff is made up of Nigerians with a wealth of skill and experience. We work with major contractors with expertise from all over the world including China and South Africa . We are proud to be part of the continued growth of telecommunications in Nigeria and the West African sub region."

Director of Licensing at NCC, Mrs. Mary Uduma, expressed gratitude that through the provision of high transmission capacity by companies like Phase3, the Nigerian telecommunications networks were getting more robust.

Also a representative of PHCN commended the company for its ability to turn PHCN's dormant cable infrastructure to an instrument for improving the nation's telecommunications infrastructure.