The leadership of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has disclosed that less than 50% of the country enjoys 3G internet coverage.
This revelation was made by the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, NCC, Engr. Ubale Maska in response to the questions by the House of Representatives over the suitability of the use of electronic devices for the transmission of election results in the country as part of ongoing discussion in the House as being provided in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.
Business Remarks earlier reported that the House had, on Thursday, July 15, 2021, invited the NCC to brief it on the nation’s network coverage before continuing debate on the contentious provision of electronic transmission of results during elections.
Maska and NCC Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Mr Adeleke Adewolu who represented the commission stated that less than 50% of the country enjoys 3G internet coverage for which electronic transmission of election results could rely on.
Maska said as of 2018 when the Commission carried out a survey of 109,000 polling units, the country’s 119,000 polling units were covered.
According to him, the surveyed polling unit areas were covered mostly by the 3G and 2G networks, which represents about 50.3% of the entire country.
In response, Maska noted that about 49.7% of the national spread did not have Internet coverage, which will be required for real-time electronic transmission of electoral results.
Asked if 2G technology could be used for electronic transmission of results, Engr. Maska said though he wished the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was around to answer, however, only 3G could transmit results effectively.
