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Dream or reality: providing universal access to basic telecommunications in Nigeria?

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  • Onwumechili, Chuka

Abstract

Nigeria has publicly announced its intentions to make basic telecommunications, specifically telephones, affordable and universally available to its people. However, several issues make this proposition especially difficult for countries such as Nigeria. For instance, Nigeria's population is large at 110 million with less than 1% presently able to access telephones. Furthermore, over 70% of Nigerians, the majority of them poor, live in rural areas where telephone lines do not presently exist. This paper studies the universal service proposition viz a viz these conditions by analyzing Nigeria's attempts to provide telephone service since the country's independence in 1960. The paper notes impending problems with Nigeria's attempts to achieve critical mass, which is essential for universal access. Ultimately, it suggests various strategies that the country should use to stimulate critical mass and achieve universal access.

Suggested Citation

  • Onwumechili, Chuka, 2001. "Dream or reality: providing universal access to basic telecommunications in Nigeria?," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 25(4), pages 219-231, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:telpol:v:25:y:2001:i:4:p:219-231
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    Cited by:

    1. Clarke, George R.G. & Wallsten, Scott J., 2002. "Universal(ly bad) service - providing infrastructure services to rural and poor urban consumers," Policy Research Working Paper Series 2868, The World Bank.
    2. Garbacz, Christopher & Thompson, Herbert Jr., 2005. "Universal telecommunication service: A world perspective," Information Economics and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 17(4), pages 495-512, October.

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